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THIS  BOOK  IS  DUE  ON  THE  DATE 
INDICATED  BELOW  AND  IS  SUB- 
JECT TO  AN  OVERDUE  FINE  AS 
POSTED  AT  THE  CIRCULATION 
DESK. 


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FROM  THE  ANNIVERSARY  MEMOIR' 


{[ISTOnTCAL    SKi-rrcji 


OF  TIIK 


BOSTON    S0(?1KTY    OF    NATURAL    HiSTORY; 


WITH 


^  jVpTICE  OF  T[IE   LINJN^AN  .ISQCJETV, 


WmClI    PnECEDED^  IT. 


V.y  TilOMAS  T.   HOUVF. 


J'  ,■  i.  i  ■     :■  V     T'- 


MUSEUM    OF   THE    BOSTON    SOCIETY    OF    NATURAL    HISTORY. 

ERECTED   1863. 


SPECIAL    EDITfOS.    ('ONTMXIXU;    OX/.V    'I'llE    UlSToUY   OF    TIIR  f^Oi'IRTY. 


ANNIVERSARY  MEMOIRS 


OF   THE 


BOSTON  SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY 


PUBLISHED    IN     CELEBRATION    OF   THE 


jfiftietl)  aumbcrjsarp  of  tlje  ^ocietp'js  founDation. 


1830-1880 


BOSTON: 
PUBLISHED    BY    THE     SOCIETY. 

ISSO. 


PUBLISHING    COMMITTEE. 

Samuel  H.  Scuddee,  Edward  Burgess, 

Samuel  L.  Abbot,  Alpheus  Hyatt, 

J.  A.  Allen. 


PRESS    OF    A.    A.    KINGMAN. 
BOSTON  SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY. 
BERKELEY   ST. 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 

SOCIETY  ANNALS. 

List  of  the  Present  Officers  of  the  Society.     (1  page.) 

Prefatory  Note,  witli  extr.-xcts  from  the  minutes  of  tlie  anmial  meeting,  May  fith,  1880.     (3  pages.) 

Historical  Sketch  of  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History,  witli  a  notice  of  the  Linnaeaii  Society  of 
Now  England  which  preceded  it ;  including  biographical  notices  of  all  tlie  Society's  ijrominent  past  mem- 
bers, officers  and  benefactors.  By  Thomas  T.  Bouve.  (250  pages,  six  floor  plans,  view  of  the  Museum,  and 
jiortraits  of  Benjamin  D.  Greene,  George  B.  Emerson,  Amos  Binncy,  John  C.  Warren,  Jeffries  Wyman, 
Thomas  T.  Bouve,  Augustus  A.  Gould,  D.  Humphreys  Storer  and  William  J.  Walker.) 

SCIENTIFIC   PAPERS. 

N.  S.  Shaler.  Propositions  conccrnim/  the  Classification  of  Lavas  considered  with  reference  to  the 
Circumstances  of  their  Extrusion.     (15  p.ages.) 

Alpheus   Hyatt.     Genesis  and  Evolution  of  the  species  of  Planorhis  at  Steinheini.     (114  pages,  ten 

plates  on  nine  sheets,  one  plate  of  sections;  map  and  two  sections  in  text.) 

Samuel  H.  Scuddeu.  The  Devonian  Insects  of  JVew  Brimsivick;  vnth  a  note  on  tlie  Geological  Re- 
lations of  the  Fossil  Insects  from  the  Devonian  of  New  Brunswick,  by  Principal  J.  W.  Dawson,  LL.D., 
F.R.S.,  etc.  (41  pages,  one  jilate.) 

W.  G.  Faelow.     llie  Gijinno. t^wranyi a  ( Cedar-apples)  cf  the   United  States.     (38  pages,  two  plates.) 

Theodobe  Lyman.  A  new  Structural  Feature,  hitherto  xuiloioicn  among  Echinodermata,  found  in 
Deep- Sea   Opihiurans.     {VI  [lages,  two  plates.) 

W.  K.  Brooks.      The  Development  of  the  Squid,  L<il!</<>  Peulii  Lesucur.     (22  pages,  three  plates.) 

A.  S.  Packard,  Jr.  Tlie  Anatomy,  Histology  and  Emhryoh>gy  of  IJmidus  Polyphemus.  (45  pages, 
seven  plates.) 

Edward  Burgess.  Contributions  to  the  Anatomy  <f  the  Milk-  Weed  Butterfly,  Danais  Archippus 
Fabr.  (IG  pages,  two  jdatcs;  one  cut  in  text.) 

Samuel  F.  Clarke.     The  Development  of  a  Douhle-heaeled  Vertebrate.     (G  pages,  one  plate.) 

Charles  Sedgwick  Minot.  Studies  on  the  Tongue  of  Reptiles  ami  Birds.  (20  pages,  one  [ilatc;  six 
cuts  in  text.) 

Edward  S.  JMgrse.  On  the  Identity  of  the  Ascending  Process  of  the  Astragalus  in  Birds  with  the  In- 
termedium.    (10  pages,  one  plate ;  twelve  cuts  in  text.) 

LuciEN  Cakk.     2'he  Crania  of  New  England  Indians.     (10  pages,  two  jjlates.) 

William  James.     Tlie  Feeling  of  Effort.    (32  pages.) 


;>r)471 


LIST  OF  TEE  PRESENT  OFFICERS  OF  TEE  SOCIETY. 

President. 

Samuel  H.  Scudder. 

Vice-Presidents. 

John   Cummings,  Frederick  W.  Putnam. 

Custodian. 

Alpheus   Hyatt. 

Honorary  Secretary. 

Samuel  L.  Abbot. 

Secretary. 

Edward   Burgess. 

Treasurer. 

Charles   W.  Scudder. 

Librarian. 

Edward   Burgess. 

Committees  on  Depai'tments  of  the  Museum. 

MmBRAlS.  RADIATES,  CRUSTACEANS  AND  WORMS. 

Thomas  T.  Bouve,  H.  A.  Hagen, 

R.  H.  Richards,  Alexander  Agassiz. 

M.  E.  Wads  WORTH. 

MOLLUSKS. 

OEOLOOT.  Edward  S.  Morse, 

William  H.  Niles,  J.  Henry  Blake. 

G.  Frederic  Wright, 

'  INSECTS. 

PAZAEONTOLOOr.  SaMCTEL    H.    ScUDDEE, 

Thomas  T.  Bouve,  Edward  Burgess, 

N.  S.  Shaxer.  a.  S.  Packaed,  Jr. 

botany.  fisbes  and  reptiles. 

John  Cummings,  F.  W.  Putnam, 

Charles  J.  Speague,  Theodore  Ltman, 

J.  Amoey  Lowell.  S.  W.  Garman. 

MICROSCOPr.  BIRDS. 

Samuel  Wells,  J.  A.  Allen, 

R.  C.  Greenlfaf,  Samuel  Cabot. 

B.  Joy  Jeffries. 

MAMMALS. 
COMPARATIVE  ANATOMY.  J.    A.    AlLEN, 

Thomas  Dwight,  E.  L.  Mark, 

W.  F.  Whitney.  George  L.  Goodale. 


PREFATORY  NOTE. 


Fiftli  paiMi^n-aiili,  for  ten  plates  on  „ine  sh'MtK  roii.l  nlueplat'is  on  eight  sheet. 


KRRATA. 

Ill  llif  t:ilile  (jf  cnntciUs: 

■'"'""  '  ■'■  '      '         '   ■  '..  '       "  ets. 

lu  the  Historical  Sketcii  : 

Page  216,  22d  line,  read  Charle.'<  W.  EUot. 

•^tli     "      from  bottom,  for  yWwt  a//  read  _/>,-„,  M„i  ,;/•  „//. 
'•     217,  I2l!i  "      -.li'U'v  inith\wn'y\  tlu:  chief  caiifeK  of. 


period  of  its  existence. 

Boston,  Dec.  15,  1880.  Publishing   Committee. 


Extract  from  the  minutes  of  the  Annual  Meeting,  3Tay  5,  1880. 

Mr.  S.  H.  Scudder,  on  ussuming  tlio  })re.sidcntiixl  chair,  discussed  the  mission  of  the  So- 
ciety, closing  his  remarks  with  the  following  words:  At  a  previous  meeting  1  Iiave  already 
expressed  my  sincere  regret  that  we  can  no  longer  be  led  in  this  work  by  the  President 
whose  devotion  we  have  been  only  too  pleased  to  acknowledge  by  our  ballots  for  ten  years 
past ;  but  as  long  as  his  life  is  spai'ed  to   us  we  shall  have  his  sympathy  and  wise  advice, 

(V) 


LIST  OF  TEE  PRESENT  OFFICERS  OF  TEE  SOCIETY. 

President. 
Samuel  H.  Scudder. 

Vice-Presidents. 

John   Cummings,  Frederick  W.  Putnam. 

Custodian. 

AxPHEus   Hyatt. 


Thomas  T.  Bouvb, 
N.  S.  Shalee. 

BOTAHT. 

John  Cummikgs, 
Charles  J.  Speagite, 
J.  Amoet  Lowell. 

microscopy. 
Samuel  Wells, 
R.  C.  Geeenlfaf, 
B.  Joy  Jeffries. 

COMPAXATirS  ANATOMY. 

Thomas  Dwight, 
W.  F.  Whitney. 


Edwaed  Huegess, 
A.  S.  Packard,  Jr. 

FISHES  AND  REPTILES. 

F.  W.  Putnam, 
Theodore  Lyman, 
S.  W.  Garman. 

BIRDS. 

J.  A.  Allen, 
Samuel  Cabot. 

MAMMALS. 

J.  A.  Allen, 
E.  L.  Mark, 
George  L.  Goodale. 


PREFATORY  NOTE. 

The  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History,  founded  in  1830  by  a  few  earnest  men, 
has  this  year  celebrated  its  fiftieth  anniversary.  Its  growth  during  this  period  has 
been  so  considerable,  it  has  gained  for  itself  so  firm  a  hold  upon  the  esteem  of  our  citi- 
zens, and  its  relations  to  the  higher  education  of  the  people  have  been  so  significant, 
that  it  has  been  thought  fitting  to  signalize  this  anniversary  by  the  issue  of  a  special  volume 
of  scientific  papers,  preceded  by  a  detailed  history  of  the  Society,  the  preparation  of  which 
was  entrusted  to  the  President.  Included  in  the  history  will  he  found  the  proceedings  of 
the  jubilee  meeting,  held  on  the  twenty-eighth  of  April  last.  At  the  annual  meeting, 
held  a  few  days  later,  the  President,  Thomas  T.  Bouve,  Esq.,  declined  a  reelection  ; 
having  been  an  officer  of  the  Society  for  nearly  forty  and  its  President  for  ten  years, 
no  man  living  is  so  thoroughly  identified  as  he  with  its  life  and  interests  during  the 
most  eventful  period  of  its  history ;  and  it  is  thei'efore  fitting  that  this  statement 
should  be  followed  by  the  tribute  paid  at  the  annual  meeting  to  his  untiring  devotion 
to  the  interests  of  the  Society,  not  only  during  his  Presidency,  l)ut  for  nearly  the  whole 
period  of  its  existence. 

Boston,  Dec.  15,  1880.  Publishing   Committee. 


Extract  from  the  minutes  of  the  Annual  Meeting,  2Iay  5,  1880. 

Mr.  S.  H.  Scudder,  on  assuming  the  presidential  chair,  discussed  the  mission  of  the  So- 
ciety, closing  his  remarks  with  the  following  words:  At  a  previous  meeting  I  have  already 
expressed  my  sincere  regret  that  we  can  no  longer  be  led  in  this  work  by  the  President 
whose  devotion  we  have  been  only  too  pleased  to  acknowledge  by  our  ballots  for  ten  years 
past ;  but  as  long  as  his  life  is  spared  to   us  we  shall  have   his  .sympathy  and  wise  advice, 

(V) 


VI 

and  we  may  be  sure  that  in  all  the  work  the  Society  undertakes,  it  will  have  no  stronger 
friend  than  he. 

Mr.  John  Cummings  thereupon  offered  the  following  vote :  — 

"  In  consideration  of  the  fact  that  Mr.  Bouve  has  declined  to  be  a  candidate  for  the  first 
office  of  this  Society,  the  meniliers  desire  to  express  their  grateful  acknowledgment  of  the 
long  and  valuable  service  he  has  rendered  as  President,  and  their  cordial  thanks  for  his 
arduous  labors,  unremitted  devotion,  prudent  and  successful  administration  ;  nor  can  they 
part  from  him  in  this  official  capacity  without  the  additional  expression  of  their  warm 
personal  esteem." 

No  one  ever  associated  with  Mr.  Bouv^,  added  Mr.  Cummings,  who  did  not  feel  himself 
drawn  to  him  hy  the  strongest  and  tenderest  ties.  In  his  own  experience  he  had  never 
met  a  man  with  so  much  devotion  to  any  cause  as  Mr.  Bouve  had  shown  for  the 
welfare  of  the  Society. 

Mr.  Cummings's  remarks  were  warmly  applauded  and  the  motion  was  seconded  by  Prof 
A.  Hyatt,  Avho  said,  in  respect  to  Mr.  Bouve's  administration,  that  although  from  the  first 
the  present  policy  of  the  Society  had  met  the  severest  criticism  and  sometimes  disapproba- 
tion from  the  intimate  friends  and  advisers  of  the  President,  he  had  yet  been  able  to  keep 
his  judgment  unwarj^ed  and  to  consider  those  ideas,  which  were  new  to  him,  purely  on 
their  own  merits.  It  is  not  too  much  to  say  that  the  Society's  aims,  which  Ave  have  heard 
so  highly  praised  in  this  anniversary  year,  could  not  have  been  so  developed  without  Mr. 
Bouve's  constant  support.  The  feelings  expressed  by  Mr.  Cummings  will  be  echoed  in 
the  heart  of  every  officer  of  the  Society,  for  we  have  always  found  our  President  full  of 
kindness  and  consideration,  as  well  as  just  and  sound  in  judgment. 

Mr.  F.  W.  Putnam  said  he  could  not  allow  this  opportunity  to  pass  without  a  few  Avords, 
which  at  best  would  be  but  a  feeble  expression  of  his  feelings ;  for  in  addition  to  a  long 
and  cherished  friendship  that  every  year  had  strengthened,  his  official  ties  to  Mr.  Bouve 
were  double,  and  both  were  broken  by  his  resignation,  since,  as  might  not  be  remembered 
by  all  present,  the  President  of  the  Society  was  ex-officio  a  member  of  the  board  of  trus- 
tees of  the  Peubody  Museum  at  Cambridge  ;  and  while,  as  Curator  of  that  Museum,  he 
welcomed  his  friend,  the  new  President  of  the  Society,  he  was  very  sori-y  to  lose  one  who 
had  been  so  long  connected  with  the  Museum  and  had  ever  been  ready  to  give  his  kindly 
aid  in  furtherance  of  its  objects. 

Prof  W.  11.  Niles  .spoke  of  the  large  amount  of  work  in  the  care  and  arrangement  of 
the  collections  which  Mr.  Bouve  had  accomplished  during  the  term  of  his  presidency. 
Most  of  this  has  been  done  after  the  business  duties  of  the  day,  and  how  frequently  he 
has  remained  uutil  called  home  by  some  one,  none  but  his  family  know.  Wlien  alterations 
in  the  building  were  going  on,  he  habitually  inspected  the  entire  premises  after  all 
others  had  gone,  to  see  that  all  was  left  in  safety.  The  Society  has  steadily  progressed 
in  its  usefulness  and  scientific  position  during  the   administration  of  Mr.  Bouve,  and  he 


vu 


now  leaves  the  presidential  chair  with  nothing  to  regret,  and  with  the  esteem  and  friend- 
ship of  every  member.  Day  by  day,  and  year  after  year,  he  has  brought  here  a  large 
heart,  full  of  geniality  and  goodness,  and  has  been  in  himself  a  source  of  happiness  to 
those  who  have  known  him  as  President.  It  would  be  a  pleasure  to  reciprocate,  in  some 
small  measure  at  least,  his  long-continued  kindness,  and  this  could  be  best  done  by  each 
meniljer's  trying  to  make  the  Society  so  pleasant  for  Mr.  Bouve,  that,  as  a  source  of  his 
future  happiness,  it  should  be  second  only  to  his  home  and  his  liiuiily.  lii  conrlusiuii.  Mr. 
Niles  said  he  did  not  doubt  that  each  member  present  would  like  to  express  in  some  spe- 
cial way  his  personal  respect  and  honor  for  him  who  was  tlie  dear  friend  of  all  and  one  of 
the  best  benefactors  the  Society  ever  had;  and  ho  hoped  they  might  do  so  by  rising  as 
they  voted  for  the  adoption  of  the  resolution  proposed  by  Mr.  Cununings. 

The  Chair  accordingly  called  for  a  standing  vote  and  the  resolution  was  unanimously 
adopted. 


1830.  ANNIVERSARY  MEMOIRS  OP  THE  BOSTON  SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  1880. 


HISTORICAL   SKETCH 


OF  THE 


BOSTON    SOCIETY    OF    NATURAL    HISTORY; 


WITH 


A  NOTICE  OF  THE   LINNiEM  SOCIETY, 


WHICH    PRECEDED   IT. 


By  THOMAS  T.  BOUVE. 


BOSTON: 

PUBLISHED  BY  THE  SOCIETY. 
1880. 


.    CHARLES   JAMES    SPKAGUK    nnd   JAMES    CLARKE   WHITE, 

Companions   with    inc-    for   years    in    laliDi-ioiis   work    upon    the    collections    of   the    Society, 

these    jiages   are    dedicated, 

with    the   great    res]iect    and    kind    regards    of 

The   Author. 


Historical  Sketch  of  the  Bostoj^   Society   of   Natural   History  :    with  a  Notice 
OF  the  Linn^an  Society,  which  preceded  it.      By  Thomas  T.  Bouve. 

No  history  of  our  Society  can  well  be  given  without  some  brief  account  of  the 
attempts  previous  to  its  formation  to  interest  the  public  in  the  study  of  Natural  History. 
Before  any  organized  efforts  were  made  to  this  end  but  few  publications  even  had 
appeared  on  the  subject,  and  these  are  cited  from  remarks  made  by  Dr.  A.  A.  Gould  in  a 
sketch  of  the  Linnaean  Society,  which  appeared  in  the  Proceedings  of  the  Boston  Society 
of  Natural  History  in  18C3.''  The  most  valual)le  of  them  Avas  one  by  the  Rev.  Manassah 
Cutler,  entitled  "Account  of  some  of  the  Vegetable  Productions  naturally  growing  in  this 
part  of  America,  botanically  arranged."  Another  was  a  pamphlet  published  l)y  the  cele- 
brated Dr.  Benj.  Waterhouse,  who  seems  to  have  brought  with  him  from  Holland  "some 
general  notions  of  Systematic  Natural  History."  The  pamphlet  was  entitled,  "Heads  of 
a  Course  of  Lectures  on  Natural  History,"  Cambridge,  1810,  in  which  he  distributes  the 
lower  annuals  under  the  heads  of  Ornithology,  Ampliibiolog}^  Ichthyology,  Insects  and 
Vermes ;  which  latter  he  mentioned  as  "  outskirts  of  Animated  Nature  extending  to  the 
confines  of  the  vegetable  world."  In  a  note  he  said  he  would  "  extend,  contract  or  omit 
parts  of  his  programme  to  suit  his  audience."  As  Dr.  Gould  quaintly  remarks,  it  does  not 
appear  whether  he  ever  had  any  audience  at  all.  In  addition  to  tliese  publications 
some  articles  of  a  practical  character  were  written  by  Prof  W.  D.  Peck,  who  occupied  the 
Chair  of  Natural  History  at  Harvard  College  from  1805  to  1822.  They  appeared  in 
agricultural  papers,  and  the  most  important  of  them  purported  to  give  a  natural  history  of 
the  slug  worm  and  the  canker  worm.  Dr.  Gould,  in  referring  to  the  Professor's  work  at 
Cambridge,  says,  "  He  gave  such  instruction  as  was  demanded,  which  was  very  little." 
Harris's  Natural  History  of  the  Bible,  Mather's  Magnalia,  Thacher's  Dispensatory,  with 
some  treatises  on  the  medicinal  properties  of  herbs,  and  a  few  other  papers  of  little 
importance,  complete  the  publications  referred  to. 

The  Linn^an  Society. 

The  time  at  length  arrived  for  an  organized  effort  to  excite  some  interest  on  the  part 
of  the  public  in  natural  science,  and  the  men  were  not  wanting.  On  the  8th  of 
December,  1814,  there  met  at  the  house  of  Dr.  Jacob  Bigelow,  a  number  of  gentlemen, 
then  prominent  in  the  community,  some  of  whom  afterwards  became  eminent  in  their 
several  professions,  if  not  in  natural  science.  They  were,  besides  Dr.  Bigelow,  Wm. 
S.  Shaw,  Octavius  Pickering,  Dr.  Walter  Channing,  Ezekiel  D.  Cusliing,  La  Fayette 
Perkins,  Dr.  Geo.  Hayward,  Nathaniel  Tucker,  J.  Freeman  Dana,  John  W.  Webster,  and 

»  Vol.  IX,  335. 


4  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 

Dr.  John  Ware.  Dr.  Channing  was  chosen  Chairman,  and  Dr.  Bigelow  Secretary,  and  a 
committee,  composed  of  Dr.  Bigelow,  Mr.  Pickering,  and  Dr.  Hayward,  was  appointed  to 
draft  a  Constitution  for  the  Society,  which  they  called  the  New  England  Society  for  the 
Promotion  of  Natural  History.  Two  days  after  they  met  again  by  adjournment,  and  the 
Constitution  reported  by  the  Committee  was  read,  discussed,  and  adopted.  Among  its 
provisions  are  some  which  may  interest  readers  of  the  present  day. 

The    1st   article    provides    that    the    Society   shall    consist   of  Immediate,    Associate, 
Honorary,  and  Corresponding  Members. 

The  2d,  that  the   officers  shall  consist  of  a  President  chosen  from  the  Honorary  or 
Immediate  Members;  Vice    President,    Corresponding   Secretary,    Recording    Secretary, 
Treasurer,  and  Cabinet  Keeper,  who  shall  be  chosen  from  the  Immediate  Members. 
The  11th,  that  there  shall  be  a  meeting  once  a  week. 

The  12th,  that  any  Immediate  Meml^er  who  shall  unnecessarily  be  absent  three  times 
successively,  shall  forfeit  his  membership. 

The  14th,  that  all  specimens  placed  in  the  Museum  shall  be  the  property  of  the 
Society,  and  that  no  others  shall  have  a  place,  except  by  express  vote. 

The  17th,  that  no  person  shall  be  chosen  an  Immediate  Member  except  by  unanimous 
vote  of  all  present;  other  members  may  be  elected  by  a  two-thirds  vote,  but  none 
without  nomination  at  a  previous  meeting. 

The  18th,  that  there  shall  be  a  Standing  Committee  of  five  members,  chosen  annually, 
to  provide  a  suitable  room  for  the  collection,  employ  one  or  more  persons  for  service, 
and  di-aw  on  the  treasurer  for  payment  of  the  expenses  thereby  incurred,  under  such 
restrictions  as  the  Society  may  from  time  to  time  make. 

The  19th,  that  each  Immediate  Member  shall  pay  $5  annually. 

The  20th,  that  every  Immediate  Member  absent  from  a  stated  meeting  without  excuse, 
shall  be  fined  fifty  cents. 

Such  articles  have  been  quoted  of  the  Constitution  ado^ited  as  tend  to  show  the  animus 
of  the  members.     Who  can  say  that  they  were  not  thoroughly  in  earnest  ? 

In  subsequent  proceedings  of  the  Society  it  ajjpears  that  fines  were  collected,  undoubt- 
edly for  absence  without  excuse ;  but  there  is  no  recorded  instance  of  a  member  forfeit- 
ing his  membership  by  unnecessary  absence. 

It  is  not  easy  to  understand  the  principle  or  the  policy  which  dictated  the  selection  in 
all  cases  of  persons  on  whom  was  conferred  Honorary,  Corresponding  or  Associate  Mem- 
bership. In  numerous  cases  individuals  were  elected  to  the  former  who  cannot  be  sup- 
posed to  have  manifested  much  interest  in  natural  science,  and  who  too  were  residents  of 
Boston.  They  were  distinguished  perhaps  as  Doctors  of  Divinity,  or  as  Doctors  of  Medi- 
cine, but  neither  then  nor  afterwards  were  known  as  Naturalists.  Among  the  Correspond- 
ing Members  are  found  the  names  of  several  residing  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  Boston, 
as  Cambridge  and  Charlestown;  which  seems  singular,  for  the  perils  of  a  ferriage 
across  the  Charles,  which  at  an  earlier  date  might  have  made  these  ports  appear  distant, 
were  no  longer  to  be  incurred ;  good  bridges  then  as  now  uniting  the  populations.  But 
this  is  not  all,  some  of  the  Corresponding  Members  were  citizens  of  Boston  itself. 

From  the  records  it  seems   that  the  number  of  Immediate  Members  at  first,  or  soon 
after  the  formation  of  the  Society,  was  about  20 ;  of  the  Honorary,   19 ;  of  the   Corres- 


BOSTON  SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY. 


ponding,  68,  and  of  the  Associate,  24.     It  is  not  clear  what  privileges  these  last  had  as 
members  of  the  Society,  except  the  implied  one  that  they  were  not  subject  to  assessment. 

In  the  list  of  the  early  Corresponding  Membei's,  it  is  pleasant  to  find  the  name  of 
Dr.  William  J.  Walker,  to  whose  great  bounty  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History  is 
indebted  for  its  present  standing  among  the  leading  scientific  societies  of  the  world,  if  not 
for  its  vei'y  existence ;  for  there  is  much  reason  for  the  opinion  that  had  the  Society  con- 
tinued dependent  on  the  voluntary  lahors  of  its  members  as  would  necessarily  have 
been  the  case  without  his  help,  it  would  have  met  the  fate  of  the  majority  of  the 
societies  of  natural  histoiy,  which  have  been  foi-med  under  apparently  fivorable  auspices, 
have  flourished  for  a  time,  and  then  faded  out  of  existence.  But  more  of  this  when  his 
large  benefictions  to  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History  are  mentioned  in  the  course 
of  this  history. 

It  may  be  a  matter  of  interest  to  the  reader  to  have  presented  here  some  of  the  names 
of  members  connected  with  the  Society,  particularly  of  such  as  afterwards  distinguished 
themselves  in  their  several  callings,  or  at  a  subsequent  period  became  active  members  of 
the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History.     Among  them  may  be  found  :  — 
As  Immediate  Members  : 


Dr.  Jacob  Bigelow. 
Dr.  "Walter  Charming. 
Benj.  A.  Goukl. 

As  Honorary  Members: 
Hon.  John  Davis. 
Hon.  John  Lowell. 
Hon.  Christopher  Gore. 
Dr.  John  Jeffries. 

As  Corresponding  Members : 
Nathaniel  Bowditch. 
Josiah  Quincy. 
Dr.  W.  J.  Walker. 

As  Associate  Members  : 
Joseph  Tilden. 
Dr.  J.  C.  Warren. 
Dr.  James  Jackson. 

The  first  officers  elected 


Francis  C.  Gray. 
Dr.  Geo.  Hayward. 
Octavius  Pickerinsr. 


Rev.  James  Freeman. 
Prof.  Wm.  D.  Peck. 
Rev.  Manassah  Cutler. 
Dr.  John  Warren. 

Prof.  Benj.  Silliman. 
Robert  Hare. 
Prof  Parker  Cleaveland. 
Benjamin  Pierce. 

Rev.  Wm.  EUery  Channing. 
Wm.  Minot. 
Richard  Sullivan. 
Francis  Boott. 

were 

John  Davis,  LL.D.,  President. 
Wm.  S.  Shaw,  Vice-President. 
Jacob  Bigelow,  Corresponding  Secretary. 
George  Hayward,  Recording  Secretary. 
Octavius  Pickering,  Treasurer. 
John  W.  Webster,  Cabinet-Keeper. 


Dr.  John  Randall. 

Dr.  John  Ware. 

Dr.  John  W.  Webster. 

Rev.  John  Prince. 
Rev.  J.  Lathrop. 
Rev.  J.  T.  Kirkland. 


S.  G.  Perkins. 
Dr.  E.  Hale. 
Thomas  H.  Perkins. 


Dr.  Geo.  C.  Shattuck. 
Rev.  Edward  Everett. 
Nathan  Hale. 


On  December  29th,  in  accordance  with  a  vote  previously  passed,  the  several  members 
having  specimens  to  present  to  the  Society  towards  the  formation  of  a  museum  brought 
them  forward,  and  it  is  recorded  that  a  considei-able  collection  was  made. 


6  HISTORICAL   SKETCH   OF   THE 

At  a  meeting  held  January  14th  it  appears  that  much  dissatisfaction  was  expressed  at 
the  name  of  the  Society,  and  it  was  therefore  voted  that  each  member  should  propose  in 
writing  at  the  next  meeting  such  name  as  he  judged  the  most  suitable.  When  the  Society 
again  met,  on  the  21st  of  January,  1815,  the  members,  after  due  consideration,  unani- 
mously 

Voted,  That  the  Society  shall  be  called  the  Linnsean  Society  of  New  England. 
'■  To  understand  the  spirit  and  do  justice  to  the  labors  of  the  active  members  of  this 
Society,  let  us  look  a  little  into  their  proceedings  of  the  first  year.  February  4th  it  was 
voted  that  each  member  shall,  if  possible,  j^repare  some  animal  in  the  course  of  the  week 
and  present  it  to  the  Society  at  the  next  meeting.  In  the  record  of  a  following  meeting 
it  is  stated  that  a  considerable  number  of  animals  were  presented  to  the  Society,  all  qf 
which  had  been  prepared  by  the  members  in  the  course  of  the  week.  Whether  these 
animals  were  of  the  dimensions  of  elej^hants  or  mice  is  not  stated.  At  the  same 
meeting  the  Recording  Secretary  was  requested  to  draw  up  some  popular  directions 
for  the  preservation  of  specunens  in  Natural  History,  to  be  given  to  masters  of 
vessels  and  others,  and  to  report  at  the  next  meeting ;  and  at  the  next  meeting  a 
circular  letter  was  presented  containing  such  directions.  This  was  ordered  to  be 
printed. 

The  subjects  brought  before  the  members  did  not  always  pertain  to  natural  history.  At 
a  meeting  on  March  4th  a  paper  by  the  Hon.  John  Lo'^yell  was  read,  "  On  the  resemblance 
between  certain  customs  of  the  modern  Italians  and  ancient  Romans."  It  was  voted  to 
copy  it  into  the  common  place  book  of  the  Society. 

Besides  the  weekly  meeting  it  was  decided  to  hold  once  a  quarter  a  general  meeting,  to 
which  should  be  invited  the  Honorary,  Corresponding  and  Associate  Members,  and  at  each 
such  quarterly  meeting  a  paper  by  some  person  appointed  at  the  preceding  meeting 
should  be  read  on  some  subject  connected  with  the  pursuits  of  the  Society.  The  first  of 
these  quarterly  meetings  was  held  on  the  21st  of  June,  and  Judge  Davis  delivered  what 
the  record  of  that  date  states  to  have  been  "  an  elegant  address  on  the  advantages  of 
natural  history  and  the  objects  of  the  institution." 

At  the  regular  meeting  held  a  few  days  afterwards,  Dr.  Randall,  as  the  text  expresses 
it,  was  unanimously  chosen  to  jJerforin  at  the  next  quarterly  meeting.  It  was  also  voted 
that  on  the  next  Wednesday,  the  28th  of  June,  the  day  appointed  by  the  Constitution  for 
the  Annual  Meeting,  the  Society  should  dine  together  at  Richards'  in  Brookline.  In 
accordance  with  this  vote,  the  Immediate  Members  met  at  Brookline  and  after  trans- 
acting the  business  of  electing  officers  for  the  year,  they  dined  together,  the  record  states, 
in  company  with  the  Hon.  John  Lowell  and  Hon.  Josiah  Quincy.  This  combination  of 
scientific  pursuits  with  feasting  is  not  mentioned  as  a  peculiarity  of  the  members  of  this 
pioneer  society,  and  even  in  later  days  it  has  not  lieen  found  disagreeable  or  unprofitable. 
In  some  degree  these  Annual  Meetings  partook  of  the  character  of  what  has  been  more 
recently  called  in  some  of  our  societies  "Field  Days",  for  they  were  held  at  some  selected 
place  in  the  country,  and  a  portion  of  the  day  was  employed  in  obtaining  specimens. 
Thus,  at  the  first  meeting,  it  is  mentioned  that  "  after  dinner  the  members  divided  them- 
selves into  several  parties  for  the  purpose  of  making  an  excursion  in  search  of  specimens 


BOSTON  SOCIETY    OF  NATURAL   HISTORY.  7 

in  the  several  branches  of  natural  history."  Towards  evening  it  is  further  said :  "  they 
returned  to  town  after  having  2)assed  a  deliglitful  day." 

Presentations  of  ol:)jects  of  natural  history  are  frequently  mentioned  as  having  been 
made  to  the  Society  during  the  year,  and  sometimes  those  of  other  character,  as 
for  instance  a  likeness  of  Mr.  Roscoe,  of  Liverpool,  presented  by  Mr.  Francis  Boott. 
In  June,  the  Society  was  the  recipient  of  two  living  tigers,  presented  by  Capt.  Stewart, 
of  the  United  States  friy-ate  Constitution.  Whether  it  was  more  fortunate  in  receiving  or 
losing  them,  it  is  now  unpossible  to  say  ;  certain  it  is,  they  were  by  some  means  lost, 
and  a  Mr.  Savage  was  held  accountable  ;  for  in  February,  1818,  the  record  states  that 
"  a  settlement  was  effected  with  Mr.  Savage  for  the  loss  of  the  Brazilian  tigers,  which 
were  presented  to  the  Society  by  Capt.  Stewart  of  the  Navy,"  and  it  subsequently 
appears  that  the  treasurer  was  authorized  to  pay  out  of  the  money  received  from 
Mr.  Savage,  rent  due  by  the  Society. 

At  the  second  Quarterly  Meeting  of  the  year,  held  in  September,  Dr.  Randall  read  an 
interesting  paper  on  the  history  and  medical  properties  of  the  native  plant  Triosteum 
perfoViatinn. 

In  October,  the  Museum  was  arranged  into  several  departments,  and  members  were 
allotted  to  take  charge  of  them,  as  follows  : 

First  division  of  Minerals.      .  Dr.  Randall.  Amphibia       ....  Mr.  Gould. 

Second      "       "  "  .  Dr.  Channing.  First  division  of  Insects         .  Mr.  Pickering. 

Third        "        "  "  .  Mr.  Dana,  Sen.  Second     "       "        "  .  Mr.  Dana,  Jr. 

Plants Mr.  Tucker.  Third       «        "       "  •  Mr.  Codnian. 

Mammalia      ....  Dr.  Bigelow.  Shells Mr.  Gray. 

Birds Dr.  Gushing.  Zoophytes,  <fcc.       .        .         .  Dr.  Hayward. 

Fishes Dr.  Ware. 

In  November,  a  paper  was  read  by  Dr.  Goodwin  of  Sandwich,  on  tadpoles  found  there 

In  December,  Dr.  Channing  was  requested  to  make  up,  from  the  duplicates,  a  box 
of  minerals,  and  send  to  France,  for  exchange,  and  the  Vice  President  was  requested  to 
use  his  exertions  to  procure  a  moose  for  the  Society.  Professor  Cleaveland  of  Bowdoin 
College,  a  distinguished  mineralogist,  had  been  invited  to  deliver  the  quarterly 
address  in  December,  but  unable  to  visit  Boston,  was  obliged  to  decline,  and  no  address 
was  delivered. 

It  has  been  thought  weU  in  view  of  the  lesson  to  be  derived  from  the  experience  of 
this  Society,  to  give  at  some  length  an  account  of  the  proceedmgs  of  this  first  year  of  its 
existence  with  the  intention  of  being  more  brief  in  mention  of  subsequent  proceedings. 
Enough  is  known  of  the  character  and  ability  of  the  members  of  the  Societ}-,  and  enough 
has  been  shown  of  their  devoted  zeal  in  its  service,  to  satisfy  all  that  if  ultimate  success 
did  not  crown  their  efforts,  the  fault  was  not  so  much  in  them,  as  in  the  fact,  that  more 
was  undertaken  for  accomplishment  through  voluntary  labor,  than  can  ever  be  expected 
from  men  however  zealous,  who  are  engaged  in  professional  or  business  life. 

The  second  year  of  the  Linnasan  Society  was  marked  by  the  same  manifestation  of  zeal 
on  the  part  of  the  members  as  was  shown  diu-ing  the  first.  From  the  assessment  of  the 
members  enough  was  raised  to  pay  for  some  professional  labor,  and  an  artist,  so  called,  was 
hired,  who  probably  could  mount  specimens  ;  as  in  January,  a  committee  was  appointed  to 


8  HISTORICAL   SKETCH  OF  THE 

procure  animals,  that  he  might  find  employment  in  preparing  them.  In  February  the 
room  in  which  the  cabinet  was  kejjt  being  unsatisfactory,  one  was  hired  over  Boylston 
Hall,  where  the  collection  was  placed,  and  where  meetings  were  subsequently  held. 
The  Museum  of  the  Society  was  opened  to  the  public  every  Saturday  afternoon. 

In  all  the  months  of  this  year  valuable  donations  of  specimens  were  received.  Among 
others  specified  may  be  mentioned  a  living  bear,  presented  by  Commodore  Chauncy  of  the 
navy;  a  miscellaneous  collection  of  objects  of  natural  history  from  Bowdoin  College;  a 
valuable  collection  of  birds  ffom  Africa;  besides  cases  of  insects,  handsome  minerals 
and  beautiful  shells  and  corals,  from  other  donors. 

The  meetings  were  well  attended,  and  there  appeared  thi-oughout  the  year  no  loss  of 
interest  on  the  part  of  the  members.  The  annual  meeting  was  held  at  Fresh  Pond  Hotel, 
Cambridge,  and  the  attendance  was  general  on  the  part  of  the  members.  Judge  Davis 
presided,  and  the  day  being  pleasant,  all  found  great  enjoyment  in  excursions  and  in 
amusements  until  dinner,  which  they  partook  of  together,  returning  to  town  in  the 
evening. 

In  August  Dr.  Bigelow  gave  an  interesting  account  of  an  expedition,  undertaken 
by  himself,  and  the  other  members  of  the  Society,  for  the  purpose  of  visiting  the  White 
Mountains  in  New  Hampshire.  Being  equipped,  as  he  states,  with  proper  instruments, 
the  height  of  the  mountains  was  ascertained  more  accurately  than  it  ever  had  been.  His 
estimate  of  the  height  is  not  mentioned.  Particular  attention,  the  record  states,  was 
given  to  the  mineral,  annual,  and  vegetable  specimens  that  were  found  in  the  mountains, 
and  the  whole  paper  abounded  with  curious  facts  and  ingenious  observations.  All 
who  in  subsequent  years  had  the  pleasure  of  intercourse  with  Dr.  Bigelow,  need 
not  be  assured  of  the  interesting  character  of  the  paper  presented  by  him  to  those  who 
were  favored  by  hearing  it.  It  would,  undoubtedly,  be  read  with  great  interest  now, 
notwithstanding  the  general  knowledge  prevailing  relative  to  the  region  mentioned. 

The  Society  increased  m  numbers  during  the  year,  and  there  appeared  no  loss 
of  interest  on  the  part  of  the  members.  Save  a  few  lines  found  in  the  report  of 
one  of  the  meetings  in  September,  everything  denoted  great  prosperity.  But  these 
few  lines  are  enough  to  suggest  to  those  of  a  later  day,  conversant  with  the 
history  of  natural  history  societies,  the  probable  decay  at  a  not  distant  time,  of 
that  zeal  and  interest  so  marked  at  this  period.  They  may  be  found  in  the  report  of  a 
committee  appointed  to  obtain  from  the  Legislature  an  act  of  incorporation.  This  report 
declares  it  inexpedient  to  petition  at  present,  provided  our  expenses  can  be  defrayed 
until  we  are  united  with  the  Athengeum.  This  is  the  first  expression  in  the  records 
implying  what,  alas,  the  history  of  most  natural  history  societies  shows  to  be  inevitable 
when  sustained  only  by  the  voluntary  labors  and  assessments  of  members,  and  dependent 
on  the  uncertain  contributions  of  friends ;  lack  of  adequate  means  for  the  care  and 
preservation  of  the  rapidly  augmenting  collections  and  consequent  disaffection.  We 
shaU  later  see,  that  notwithstanding  the  strenuous  exertions  of  the  members,  and 
abundant  success  in  collecting  specimens,  an  increasing  uneasiness  manifested  in  a 
disposition  to  unite  with  another  society  and  thus  sacrifice  its  own  identity ;  or,  failing 
this,  to  dispose  of  its  collections  in  a  way  that  would  not  have  been  considei^ed  for  a 
moment  at  an  earlier  period. 


BOSTON  SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  9 

The  time,  however,  has  not  arrived  to  dwell  upon  anything  not  agreeable  in  the  record 
of  the  devoted  workers  of  the  Society.  The  Recording  Secretary  ajipears  to  have  been 
quite  elated  at  the  progress  made,  for  he  Avrites  in  October :  The  zeal  and  activity  of  the 
members  seem  to  be  luiabated,  and  if  the  collection  continues  to  increase  for  a  few  years 
in  the  same  proportion,  it  will  surpass  every  establishment  of  the  kind  in  the  United 
States,  and  almost  rival  those  of  Europe. 

The  close  of  the  year  shows  no  less  activity.  In  December  a  valuable  paper  was  read 
by  Dr.  John  Ware.  Large  and  valuable  specimens  were  set  up  under  the  su])erintGndence 
of  the  committees,  and  arrangements  were  made,  as  the  record  states,  for  labelling  all  the 
birds,  beasts  and  fishes  belonging  to  the  caljinet.  A  committee  was  also  appointed  to  see 
what  could  be  done  in  relation  to  furnishing  permanent  a^Dartments  for  the  collection  of 
the  Society,  which  implies,  probably,  that  it  had  increased  to  a  size  rendering  more  room 
necessary  for  its  accommodation. 

1817.  Judging  by  the  records  of  this  year's  doings  alone,  it  might  be  thought  that  all 
was  well  with  the  Society,  and  that  its  continued  existence  and  progress  were  secure. 
Donations  continued  to  pour  in,  many  of  a  very  valuable  character.  Among  them  may  be 
noticed  a  fine  American  elk,  which  is  mentioned  as  one  of  the  most  interesting  and 
valuable  animals  which  our  country  affords.  There  seems  certainly  to  have  been 
no  fears  of  calamity,  for  in  the  eai'ly  part  of  the  3^ear  a  fine  specimen  of  a  female 
moose,  from  Maine,  was  pui'chased,  and  the  hope  is  expressed  that  another  year 
a  male  may  be  obtained,  together  with  a  reindeer,  which  the  Secretary  states  will 
make  complete  the  collection  of  the  deer  of  the  United  States.  Arrangements  were 
also  made  with  Capt.  Waterman  to  procure  specimens  of  natural  history  from  the 
coast  of  Africa. 

The  annual  meeting  was  held  at  Brookline,  where  the  members,  as  usual,  sat  down  to 
dinner.  Valuable  papers  were  presented,  one  on  the  mineralogy  and  geology  of 
Cambridge  and  its  vicinity,  by  Mr.  S.  L.  Dana,  Jr.,  containing,  it  is  stated,  "  unquestionably 
more  accurate  information  on  the  subjects  upon  which  it  treats  than  has  ever  before  been 
communicated ;"  one  on  the  luminous  appearance  of  the  sea,  translated  from  the 
Transactions  of  the  Swedish  Academy  by  Judge  Davis  ;  and  one  on  the  medical  properties 
of  Phytolacca  decandra,  by  Dr.  Hayward. 

It  is  distinctly  mentioned  by  the  Secretary,  in  June,  that  the  usual  business  of 
collecting  and  preserving  specimens  had  been  regularly  attended  to. 

On  the  18th  of  June,  Dr.  Channing  delivered  an  address.  At  a  previous  meeting  of 
the  Society  it  had  been  voted  to  call  a  public  meeting  of  the  members,  each  of 
whom  should  have  the  privilege  of  inviting  others  to  be  present  on  this  occasion, 
which  was  made  one  of  great  interest,  many  of  the  leading  men  of  the  state  and  city 
being  present.  Among  them,  the  Governor,  Lieutenant  Governor,  Council,  members 
of  the  Senate,  and  many  ladies.  The  whole  company  were  surprised  at  the  size  of  the 
collection,  and  highly  pleased  with  its  general  order  and  neatness. 

At  twelve  o'clock  the  address  was  given,  which  was  upon  the  importance  of  literature 
and  science,  particularly  to  the  people  of  New  England.  The  claims  of  the  Society  to  the 
patronage  of  the  public  w^ere  urged  with  great  force  and  ingenuity.  A  sketch  of  the 
progress  of  the  institution  from  its  first  foundation  was  given,  and  statements  made 
showing  the  rapid  growth  of  the  cabinet. 


10  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 

The  interest  excited  by  this  meeting  gave  the  Society  reason  to  believe  that  the 
unportance  of  its  work  Avas  folly  appreciated,  and  that  the  public  already  felt  disposed  to 
protect  and  patronize  it.  It  is  sad  to  think  how  soon  the  hopes  excited  by  the 
feeling  manifested  at  this  meeting  were  doomed  to  flide  away. 

Soon  after  this  meeting,  wonderful  stories  were  circulated  concerning  a  strange  marine 
animal,  said  to  have  been  seen  in  the*  harbor  of  Gloncestcr,  and  a  special  meeting  of  the 
Society  was  called  for  the  purpose  of  taking  measures  to  ol)tain  information.  Judge  Davis, 
Dr.  Bigelow,  and  Mr.  Gi'ay,  wei'e  constituted  a  committee  to  write  to,  and  have  depositions 
taken  of,  all  who  had  seen  the  animal.  The  committee  reported,  in  September,  that  they 
had  no  doubt  of  tlie  existence  of  an  animal  of  extraordinary  appearance  and  enormous 
dimensions,  as  there  were  many  credible  witnesses.  They  expressed  the  hope  of  getting 
more  information  soon.  In  October,  a  very  full  report  Avas  made  npon  Avhat  Avas 
now  designated  as  the  sea  serpent,  and  an  account  Avas  also  given  of  a  small  one,  probably, 
the  record  says,  of  a  "  spawn,"  that  had  been  taken  at  the  Avater's  edge.  Tlie  committee 
were  of  the  opmion  that  these  animals  were  of  a  genns  Avholly  unknown  to  naturalists, 
and  they  designated  them  nndcr  the  name  of  Scoliophis.  from  the  singnlar  cnrA'atures 
of  the  spine,  by  Avhich  they  ^Jossessed  a  A'ertical  motion.  To  this  they  added  the  specific 
name  Atlanticus.^ 

It  is  a  subject  of  great  regret,  the  Secretary  Avrote,  that  all  the  efforts  that  Avere  made 
to  take  the  great  serpent  proved  Avholly  ineffectual,  notwithstanding  tlie  zeal  and  activity 
of  his  pursnei's. 

1818.  We  have  thus  far  traced  the  history  of  this  Society  from  its  formation,  have 
dwelt  upon  the  cA'idences  of  its  rapid  progress,  and  ha\'e  had  brought  before  us  accounts 
of  its  great  acquisitions,  through  Avhich  it  h!id  become  possessed  of  a  collection  Avhich,  in 
the  language  of  its  Secretary,  seemed  likely  to  surpass  any  one  of  like  character  in  this 
country  and  even  rival  the  great  collections  of  Europe.  Henceforth  Ave  shall  find  evidence 
of  declining  vigor  on  the  j^art  of  the  Society  as  such,  notAvithstanding  great  struggles  on  the 
part  of  many  of  its  members  to  sustain  it  and  give  it  renewed  activity ;  Ave  shall  see  the 
interest  in  its  meetings  rapidly  Avane,  and  its  valuable  cabinet  becoming  ruined  for  the  Avant 
of  proper  care ;  Ave  shall  see  that  even  the  hope  for  continued  existence  is  giving  place  to 
utter  despair,  foreboding  dissolution. 

In  January  a  committee  Avas  appointed  to  make  propositions  to  the  trustees  of  the 
Athenteum  for  a  union  of  the  tAvo  institutions,  and  if  this  could  not  be  effected,  to  report 
what  measures  should  be  taken  for  the  preservation  of  the  cabinet. 

Meetings  Avere  held  in  the  succeeding  months,  but  not  Avith  so  much  regularity  as  here- 
tofore. At  one  of  the  meetings  a  A^aluable  j^aper  Avas  read  by  Dr.  J.  W.  Webster  on  the 
mineralogical  character  of  the  Island  of  St.  Nicholas,  which  he  had  lately  visited.  This 
seems  to  have  been  the  only  paper  In'ought  forward  during  the  year.  The  Immediate 
Members  made  an  excursion  up  tlie  Middlesex  Canal,  upon  invitation  of  Mr.  J.  L.  Sulli- 
van, and  they  dined  together  at  Woburn,  —  their  last  dinner  as  a  society. 

'  Report  of  a  Conimittce  of  the  Liiinaean  Societ}'  of  New       52  jjp.     See  remarks  by  Dr.  Jeffries   AVyman,   Proc.   Best. 
England  relative  to  a  lai'gi^  marine  animal,  .supposed  to  be  a       Soe.  Nat.  Hist.,  IX,  245. 
Serpent,  seen  near  Cape   Ann,   Mass.     Boston,  1817.     Svo. 


BOSTON  SOCIETY    OF  NATURAL   HISTORY.  1 1 

1819.  During  tliis  j^ear  the  meetings  were  not  held  with  any  regularity.  Attempts 
were  made  to  take  charge  of  and  preserve  the  specimens,  but  without  success,  and  the 
members  had  the  mortification  of  seeing  a  museum  going  to  decay  that  had  cost  them  so 
much  labor  and  expense  ;  but  it  seemed  inevitable.  They  were  mostly  engaged  in  profes- 
sional pursuits,  and  of  course  could  not  give  their  personal  serv'ices  to  the  preservation  of 
the  collection ;  and  the  fmids  of  the  society  were  not  sufficient  to  hire  any  one  perma- 
nently. 

18:^0.  Things  remained  in  this  condition  until  March,  1820,  when  a  meeting  was  called 
for  the  purpose  of  considering  the  expediency  of  disposing  of  the  collection. 

It  was  then  voted,  that  if  one  hundred  dollars  per  year  could  be  obtained  for  ten  years, 
the  members  would  renew  their  efforts  to  preserve  the  institution. 

In  April  it  was  reported  that  enough  had  been  subscribed,  and  more,  for  the  preser- 
vation of  the  collection.  This  seemed  for  a  time  to  revive  hope  and  inspire  interest. 
Amendments  were  made  to  the  Constitution,  and  a  committee  was  appointed  to  attend  to 
the  preservation  of  the  collection.     A  number  of  new  members  were  elected. 

In  May,  committees  were  chosen  to  examine  and  report  upon  tlie  state  of  each  depart- 
ment of  the  collection,  and  they  were  expected  to  attend  at  the  hall  of  the  museum  every 
Saturday,  from  3  to  6  o'clock.  A  committee  was  also  appointed  to  petition  the  legisla- 
ture for  an  act  of  incorporation ;  evidence  certainly  of  renewed  hope. 

The  Society  l)ecame  incori^orated,  and  the  first  meeting  under  the  act  was  held  in  June. 
Dr.  Jacob  Bigelow  was  elected  President. 

In  August  a  specimen  of  a  seal  and  several  minerals  were  presented,  and  in  October 
there  were  many  minerals  added  to  the  collection.  In  Decendjer  a  movement  was  made 
towards  the  formation  of  a  library,  and  in  the  following  March  (1821)  rules  and  regula- 
tions were  adopted  for  it.  Notwithstanding,  however,  these  signs  of  activity  on  the  part  of 
the  Society,  the  records  afford  sufficient  evidence  of  declining  interest.  The  meetings  were 
not  well  attended.  Immediate  Members  resigned  as  such,  and  were  made  Associate  Mem- 
bers, mainly  for  the  reason  that  they  could  not  attend  to  the  duties  of  the  former. 

1822.  In  the  early  part  of  this  year  there  yet  appeared  no  evidence  of  yielding  to  the 
inevitable,  and  specimens,  among  them  the  bones  of  a  camel,  were  received  for  the  cab- 
inet with  satisfaction  and  thanks.  In  August,  however,  we  find  that  a  committee  had 
been  appointed  to  consider  upon  the  future  disposal  of  the  cabinet,  which  reported  : 

"  That  it  appears,  by  the  resignation  and  non-attendance  of  members,  that  it  has  become 
burdensome  to  individuals  of  the  Society  to  support  its  meetings  and  collections  as  they 
have  hitherto  done ;  that  it  is  expedient,  therefore,  to  suspend  its  meetings  and  give  up  the 
room  of  the  Society,  and  place  the  collection,  or  such  part  of  it  as  can  be  preserved,  in 
some  place  whei-e  it  will  occasion  no  further  expense  to  the  Society  or  its  contributors ; 
that  a  committee  be  appointed  to  remove  it  from  its  present  location  and  place  it  in  the 
hands  of  any  other  person  or  persons  who  will  aflord  suitable  rooms  for  its  reception,  the 
preference  being  always  given  to  a  scientific  corporate  body ;  that  the  present  funds  of  the 
Society  be  devoted  to  removing,  securing  and  enlarging  the  collection,  at  the  discretion  of 
the  committee." 

This  committee  was  made  permanent,  with  directions  to  appoint  a  Secretary,  and  to  call 
a  meeting  of  the  Society  on  the  application  of  three  nu^mbers. 


12  HISTORICAL   SKETCH  OF  THE 

The  expression  that  the  funds  of  the  Society  be  devoted  to  enlarging  as  well  as  securing 
the  collection  denotes  the  existence  of  a  vague  hope  at  least  of  renovation. 

The  election  of  officers  was  made,  as  in  former  yeax-s. 

1823.  In  March  of  this  year  a  meeting  was  called  l)y  the  Society,  and  the  committee 
appointed  in  August  of  the  previous  year  relative  to  the  collection  reported,  that  they  had 
offered  the  whole  of  it  to  the  Boston  AthennBum.  upon  condition  that  suitable  rooms  should 
be  j^rovided  for  its  reception  and  preservation,  but  that  the  Trustees  had  declined  to  accept 
it ;  that  they  had  sub.sequently  offered  it  to  the  Corporation  of  Harvard  College  or  to  the 
Board  of  Visitors  of  the  Massachusetts  Professorship  of  Natural  History,  who  jointly 
accepted  the  offer,  agreeing  to  erect  a  building  for  the  collection  and  to  grant  to  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Society  free  access  to  the  collection  and  to  the  Botanic  Garden. 

This  report  after  considei'ation  was  acted  upon  by  a  vote  that  the  conditions  on  which 
the  Corporation  of  Harvard  College  and  the  Board  of  Visitors  of  the  Massachusetts 
Professorship  of  Natural  History,  propose  to  accept  the  cabinet  of  this  Society,  be  acceded 
to  ;  and  the  committee  were  requested  to  make  the  transfer.  This  was  done,  and  the 
balance  of  cash  in  the  hand.s  of  the  Treasurer,  $264.29,  was  also  included  in  the  transfer. 

A  vote  was  finally  passed  that  all  subscriptions  and  assessments  not  collected  be  can- 
celled. Thus  came  to  an  end  the  Linna;an  Society  so  far  as  exertion  for  the  furtherance 
of  the  objects  of  its  existence  was  concerned.  It  yet  remained  a  corporate  body,  and 
years  after,  ujDon  the  formation  of  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History,  it  was  once  more 
called  together  by  its  Secretary  for  the  purpose  of  recovering  if  possible  from  Harvard 
College  such  part  of  the  collection  as  yet  remained  Avortli  removing,  in  order  to  present 
it  to  the  new  society.  This  reclamation  was  made  on  the  ground  that  the  College  had 
failed  entirely  to  comply  with  the  conditions  made  at  the  time  of  the  transfer ;  no  building 
having  been  erected,  and  proper  care  not  having  been  given  for  its  preservation  as  a 
collection  for  promoting  the  study  of  natural  history.  In  the  sketch  which  follows  of 
the  doings  of  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History,  it  will  be  found  that  very  little  of 
the  really  extensive  and  valuable  collection  of  the  Linnrean  Society  came  into  its  possess- 
ion, though  all  that  remained  of  it  was  given  up  by  the  College.  It  had  gone  to  ruin  for 
want  of  care,  as  hundreds  of  earlier  collections  had  before  it,  and  as  hundreds  will 
hereafter,  if  the  views  which  the  history  of  the  Linntean  Society  are  calculated  to  incul- 
cate do  not  prevail  in  their  aims  and  purposes. 

That  these  views  may  be  presented  and  dwelt  upon  has  been  the  motive  of  giving 
so  full  an  account  of  the  doings  of  this  Society,  as  its  experience  so  well  illusti'ates  their 
truth.  As  stated  in  an  earlier  page,  if  success  did  not  crown  the  efforts  made 
by  the  members  to  build  up  a  permanent  institution,  the  fault  was  not  so  much  in  them, 
as  in  the  fact  that  they  undertook  more  than  it  was  possible  for  men  engaged  in 
professional  or  business  life  to  accomplish,  however  zealous  and  devoted  they  might  be. 
The  views  referred  to  and  which  it  is  thought  desirable  to  inculcate,  may  be  given 
in  a  few  paragraphs.  They  are  not  new,  for  the  same  ideas  may  be  found  expressed  in  an 
address  delivered  before  the  Linniwin  Society  of  London,  in  1867,  by  its  President,  George 
Bentham,  F.R.S.,  and  also  in  an  article  by  Dr.  II.  A.  Hagen,  published  in  the 
American  Naturalist  (Volume  x,  pp.  80  and  135).     They  are  as  follows: 


BOSTON   SOCIETY   OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  '  13 

No  society  organized  for  the  pursuit  of  the  study  of  naUnal  history  should  undertake 
to  form  a  large  museum,  unless  it  is  endowed  with  means  fully  adequate  for  the  constant 
care    and    preservation    of  its  collections,   either   through   support   of    the    government, 
or   from   funded   property  that   will   yield    income    sufficient   for   such    purpose.     Large 
collections    require    enormous   expense    for   preservation  from    destructive    agencies,    in 
the    necessary  supplies  of  jars,    bottles,    alcohol,    and   other  articles  absolutely  required 
for  use  ;  and  for  the  pa}Tnent  of  competent  curators  ;  as  experience  demonstrates  that 
none  others  than  those  who  are  paid  for  their  services  can  be  relied  on  to  permanently 
do    the   work,  without  which,  sooner  or  later,  all    there  is  destructible  in    a  collection 
will  certainly  go  to  ruin.     In  the  early  period  of  an  institution  founded  by  voluntary 
effort  and  designed  to  be  so  sustained,  the  members,  zealous  and  active,  may  for  a  time, 
and  while  the  collection  is  not  great,  manage  to  arrange  the  specunens  received,  and  keep 
them    from    destruction   by  care,  but   as  the    museum    increases,  this   becomes   onerous 
to    theRT,  and   finally  impossible.     Its   impending    destruction  discourages    the  members, 
and  the    society  itself,   unable  to  bear  the    necessary  expense  of  preserving  what   they 
look    upon    as  an    important  element   of   existence,  is   finally  dissolved.      A   society  of 
natural  history  not  supported  by  government,  and  inadeqiiately  endowed,  should  never 
undertake  to  make  more  than  a  very  limited  collection  of  specimens,  and  these  should 
be   coufined  to   such  as   illustrate    the   natural   histor\^   of  the    immediate    neighborhood, 
with   perhaps  a  few  others,  typical  specimens  only,  of  forms  found    in    distant   regions. 
Where  more  than  this    is  attempted    by  any  societ}',  continued  existence  and  progress 
can  only  be  predicted  in  case  it  ^jossesses  ample  means  to  employ  steadil}'  a  sufficient 
number    of    capable    men     to    take    charge     of    its    museum,    and     exert    a     careful 
watchfulness  over  the  specimens.      No  society  can  long  exist  that  depends  upon  voluntary 
continuous  labor  on  the    part  of  its  members,  or  on    the  voluntary  subscriptions  of   its 
friends. 

Nor  is  the  collection  of  an  immense  number  of  specimens  in  every  department  of  nat- 
ural history  a  desirable  thing  for  the  general  student.  It  is  far  more  important  that  there 
shall  be  an  epitome  collection  so  arranged  as  to  give  elementary  instruction  to  visitors 
who  seek  knowledge  and  to  whom  a  great  multitude  of  specimens  might  be  confusing.  Of 
course  there  is  no  objection  to  the  largest  collection  of  known  species  where  there  are 
abundant  means  to  obtain  and  care  for  them,  but  an  arrangement  of  such  shoidd  always 
be  preceded  by  a  proper  synoptical  series  ;  the  latter  for  the  instruction  of  the  general 
student,  the  former  for  the  use  of  advanced  naturalists  -wlio  need  such  collections  for 
comparison.  A  large  collection  has  the  effect  of  attracting  great  attention,  and  the 
wondering  thousands  who  are  drawn  by  its  exhibition  to  visit  it  daily  or  weekly,  enjoy  an 
innocent  pleasm'e  that  is  well  worth  providing  for  iu  all  large  conmiunities,  especially  as 
the  influence  may  often  go  far  beyond  gratifying  curiosity.  The  collection  of  species  k)cal 
to  the  neighborhood,  should  perhaps  be  the  aim  of  every  society,  as  a  knowledge  of  all  the 
forms  of  life  met  in  our  daily  walks  is  very  desirable. 

Perhaps  the  experience  of  no  society  better  iUustrates  the  truth  of  some  of  these  remarks 
than  that  of  the  Linna3an  Society.  It  was  formed  by  men  of  more  than  ordinary  ability, 
and  in  a  community  ready  and  willing  to  aid  it  by  voluntary  contributions.  Its  members 
were  hard  workers,  and  freely  gave   much   time   to   its  interests.     But  it  had  no  funded 


14  HISTORICAL    SKETCH   OF   THE 

■wealth  and  could  not  look  to  government  for  support.  It  flourished  greatly  for  a  consid- 
erable period  and  only  showed  signs  of  weakness  when  its  rapidly  increasing  collections, 
garnered  from  every  quarter  of  the  globe,  called  for  continuous  labor  and  large  exi^endi- 
ture  of  money.  Engaged  as  the  members  were  in  professional  or  business  occupations, 
they  could  not  give  the  former,  and  they  became  tired  of  soliciting  subscriptions  to  meet 
the  latter.     The  result  was  inevitable. 

The  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History. 

In  passing  from  the  consideration  of  the  doings,  the  experience  and  the  dissolution  of  the 
Linna3an  Society  to  a  review  of  the  history  of  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History,  the 
question  naturally  arises  in  the  mind  whether  the  new  Society  started  under  any  better 
auspices,  financially  or  otherwise,  than  the  old,  and  if  not,  whether  its  aims  and  objects 
were  so  different  as  to  render  it  less  liable  to  ultimately  meet  with  the  same  fate. 

A  careftd  reading  of  its  records  fails  to  show  that  pecuniarily  it  was  any  better  provided 
with  means  in  the  early  period  of  its  existence,  or  that  its  aims  and  objects  or  its  proposed 
methods  of  action  were  in  the  least  different  from  those  of  its  unfortunate  predecessor. 
This  is  especially  noticeable,  as  among  its  earliest  members  are  found  the  names  of  several 
who  had  been  active  in  the  Linna^an  Society. 

As  will  be  seen  further  on,  the  Society  was  at  first  dependent  entirely  on  the  annual 
assessment  of  its  meml^ers  ;  yet  it  proceeded  at  once  to  collect  specimens  for  its  museum 
without  discrimination,  thus  involving  itself  in  the  same  kind  of  expenditure  for  their 
arrangement  and  preservation.  That  it  finally  succeeded  in  establishing  itself  on  a  firm 
foundation  will  be  seen  to  have  been  the  result  of  fortunate  circumstances  that  could  not 
have  been  foreseen,  much  less  depended  upon,  and  without  which  success  would  probably 
have  been  impossible. 

The  first  meeting  of  such  persons  as  favored  the  formation  of  a  new  society  was  held 
at  the  house  of  Dr.  Walter  Channing,  February  9th,  1830.  Dr.  Channing  was  made 
Chairman,  and  Mr.  Simon  E.  Greene,  Secretary.  A  committee  was  appointed  to 
recommend  at  a  future  day  such  measures  as  it  should  judge  advisal^le  for  the  formation 
of  the  Society,  and  for  creating  an  interest  on  the  part  of  the  public  in  its  objects. 

Dr.  George  Hayward,  Dr.  John  Ware,  Mr.  Edward  Brooks,  Dr.  Amos  Binney  and  Mr. 
Geo.  B.  Emerson,  composed  the  committee.  It  does  not  appear  whether  other  persons 
were  present  than  the  seven  named,  as  the  number  that  met  is  not  mentioned.  Of  those 
whose  names  appear,  three  were  active  members  of  the  Linnoean  Society,  viz. :  Dr.  Walter 
Channing,  Dr.  Hayward,  and  Dr.  Ware.  There  were  two  other  original  members 
of  the  new  Society  who  had  been  active  in  the  Linnsean,  viz. :  John  Davis,  LL.D.,  and 
Mr.  Henry  Codman. 

At  a  meeting  subsequently  held,  the  date  of  which  is  not  given,  the  committee  made 
a  report,  which  was  adopted  and  a  vote  was  passed,  "  That  a  Society  on  the  plan  proposed, 
be  now  formed,"  and  this  was  followed  by  the  appointment  of  a  committee  to  wait  upon 
persons  favorable  to  the  objects  of  the  Society  and  obtain  their  signatures  ;  with  authority 
to  call  another  meeting  as  soon  as  a  sufficient  number  had  subscribed. 


BOSTON   SOCIETY   OF   NATURAL  HISTORY.  15 

Such  a  meeting  -was  called  toffcther  on  the  28th  of  Ajiril,  and  ^vas  held  at  the  room  of 
the  Trustees  of  the  Athenannn  at  7  1-2  o'clock  P.  ]\I.  Dr.  Channing  uas  chosen 
Moderator,  ;nul  'rhe()|)hilu.s  Par.sons,  Secretary.  Tlie  names  of  the  subscribers  were  read, 
and  a  .sketch  of  rules  ami  b^-hnvs  for  the  govci'nmcnt  of  the  Society  presented  for  con- 
sideration.    It  Avas  then 

Voted,  That  the  name  of  the  Society  shall  Ijo  The  Boslon  Society  of  JVatural  History. 

Then  followed  discussion  on  the  rules  proposed,  and  finally  a  committee  was  appointed 
to  draft  a  constitution  and  code  of  by-laws  and  to  report  at  the  next  meeting.  Dr.  Biuuey, 
Dr.  llayward  and  Simon  E.  Greene  were  made  this  committee. 

Thus  was  fonued  this  Society,  destined  to  become  one  of  the  leading  institutions  of  the 
kind  in  the  world,  into  whose  museum  thousands  would  gather  weekly  for  ob.servation  and 
instruction,  and  whose  publications  would  be  known  and  valued  in  every  civilized 
community. 

The  next  meeting  was  held  on  M;iv  Gth,  and  the  constitution  and  bv-iaws  which  had 
been  proposed,  after  due  consideration  and  with  some  amendments,  were  adopted.  An 
adjournment  for  one  week  followed.  On  reassembling  at  the  appointed  time  the  members 
proceeded  to  vote  for  officers  and  the  following  named  persons  wei'e  chosen  to  1111  the 
positions  designated : 

Tlionins  Nuttall,  rresidoH. 

Geo.  IlMyward,  First    Tice-President. 

Jolin  Ware,  Second  Vice-President. 

(TiiiiKilifl  Br;icll'onl,  Correspoudinff  Secretary. 

'I'lu'oiihilus  Piirsons,   Recording  Secrelanj. 

Simon  E.  Grooiie.   IVcdswer. 

Sctli   Bass,  Librarian. 

Curators  : 

Francis  C.  Gray,  Edward  Brooks,  Amos  Binncy,  Jr., 

Geo.  B.  Emerson,  Walter  Channing,  Benj.  D.  Greene. 

Joseph  W.  McKean,  Francis  Algor, 

A  committee  was  tlu'u  appointed  to  make  enquiries  relative  to  the  collection  of  the 
late  Linnanin  Society,  which  ha<l  been  presented  to  Harvard  College  upon  certain 
conditions  which  had  not  been  complied  with,  and  to  Icani  wlictluM-  tlie  whole  or  aiiv  part 
of  it  could  be  obtained  for  the  cal)inet  of  this  Society.  No  farther  meeting  is  recorded 
until  August  9,  though  the  adopted  by-laws  required  that  one  should  be  held  on  the  first 
Thursday  of  every  month.  At  this  meeting  it  was  announced  that  Dr.  Nuttall  had 
declined  to  accept  the  office  of  President.  wlKTcupon  the  ni('Uil)ers  present  procet'ded  to 
(ill  the  vacancy,  and  Benj.  D.  Gi'eene  was  unanimously  elected.  Thus  was  completed  the 
organization  of  the  Society,  and  we  find  that  the  Council,  nowcomjjosed  of  all  the  ofiicers, 
})ioceeded  at  once  to  take  active  measures  for  the  furtherance  of  its  objects.  The  next  day 
after  the  election  of  Mr.  Greene,  it  held  a  meeting  and  appointed  a  conunittee  to  arrange 
for  a  course  of  lectures,  to  designate  the  lecturers,  and  to  decide  upon  their  compen.sation ; 
also  one  to  procure  rooms  for  the  u.se  of  the  Society.  At  the  next  meeting  of  the  Council 
a  week  later,  the  conunittee  on  lectures  reported  in  favor  of  a  course  of  sixteen  to  be 
given  besides  an  introductory  lecture,  and  that  tickets  of  admission  be   put  at  §3  each, 


16  HISTORICAL    SKETCH   OF    THE 

$5  for  a  gentleman  and  lady,  and  $2  for  each  person  additional.  The  subjects  proposed 
and  the  number  of  lectures  to  be  devoted  to  each  were  as  follows : 

Two  on  a  general  account  of  the  Mineral  Kingdom  and  Geology,  particularly  as 
connected  with  annual  and  vegetable  remains  ;  four  on  Anatomy  and  Physiology  of  the 
Vegetable  Kingdom,  with  general  account  of  the  characters,  relations,  and  uses  of  plants 
and  their  distribution  ;  two  on  Anatomy  and  Physiology  of  the  Animal  Kingdom,  and  of 
the  principles  upon  which  its  scientific  arrangement  is  founded,  etc.  ;  two  on  the 
Mammalia ;  two  on  birds ;  one  on  Reptiles  and  Fishes ;  two  on  Insects ;  one  on 
Invertebrate  Animals. 

Subsequently  the  Committee  reported  that  they  had  decided  upon  the  compensation  for 
the  lectures,  and  fixed  it  at  $20  for  each.  The  pei'sons  selected  to  deliver  the  lectures, 
and  who  accepted  the  invitations,  were  Dr.  George  Hayward,  Mr.  Thos.  Nuttall,  Dr.  Gam- 
aliel Bradford,  Dr.  John  Ware,  Dr.  Walter  Channing,  Dr.  J.  V.  C.  Smith  and  Dr.  D.  Hum- 
phreys Storer.  The  introductory  lecture  was  free  to  the  public.  This  course  of  lectures 
was  commenced  on  the  third  Tuesday  of  October,  and  they  were  continued  weelvly. 
Where  they  were  delivered,  and  by  whom  the  introductory  one  was  given,  does  not  appear 
in  the  records. 

These  lectures  yielded  a  net  profit  of  $174.58.  Besides  this  course,  there  was  another 
given  under  the  auspices  of  the  Society,  before  the  close  of  the  lecture  season,  by  Mr. 
Nuttall,  on  Botany.  This  yielded  $170,  $100  of  which  was  paid  the  lecturer  and  $5.50 
for  expenses;  the  balance,  $64.50  going  into  the  treasury. 

It  will  be  recollected  that  in  the  sketch  given  of  the  closing  proceedings  of  the  Lin- 
ntean  Society,  it  was  stated  that  as  the  Trustees  of  Harvard  College  had  failed  to  comply 
with  the  conditions  bindmg  upon  them  m  accepting  the  collection  of  that  Society,  re- 
clamation had  been  made  with  the  purpose  of  presenting  whatever  might  yet  be  of  value 
to  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History.  This  had  been  done  at  the  instance 
of  several  members  of  the  latter  society  who  had  likewise  been  members  of 
the  former,  and  who  reasonably  felt  aggrieved  at  the  want  of  care  shown  for 
the  collection  by  its  possessors.  One  of  these,  Dr.  Hale,  remarked  that  "  he  felt  it  to  be  his 
duty  as  an  officer  of  the  Linna^an  Society,  to  express  the  opinion  that  something  effec- 
tual should  be  done ;  that  he  would  take  the  opportunity  to  again  assert  that 
Harvard  University  had  forfeited  all  her  right  to  the  possession  of  the  cabinet  of 
the  Linniean  Society.  The  members  of  that  Society  were  not  so  faithless  to  the 
cause  they  had  espoused  as  to  desert  it.  When  few  in  numbers  and  burdened  with 
heavy  assessments,  they  had  relinquished  their  rich  collection  to  the  Corporation  of  said 
University,  that  body  having  passed  at  a  formal  meeting  a  vote  to  erect  a  suitable 
building  to  preserve  the  collection,  for  the  benefit  of  students  in  natural  history. 
That  agreement  had  not  been  complied  with,  no  building  had  been  ei'ected,  and 
the  specimens  were  scarcely  to  be  found.  Justice  to  the  members  of  the  Linnajan 
Society  compelled  him  to  make  these  observations."  It  seems  now  but  right  to  give 
here  the  remarks  of  one  whose  statement  can  be  taken  as  authentic  concerning  the 
whole  matter,  as  it  furnishes  more  succinctly  than  anything  else  found,  a  full 
justification  of  the  course  taken  in  presenting  the  valuable  collections  of  the  Linna^an 
Society  to  the  College.     Provision  was  made  as  far  as  was  possible  for  its  preservation,  in 


BOSTON  SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL   HISTORY.  17 

placing  it  where  it  was  thought  it  would  be  of  great  service   to  students  in  Natural 
History. 

The  result  of  the  application  which  was  made  to  obtain  for  the  Society  whatever  might 
be  left  of  value  may  be  given  in  the  few  words  taken  from  the  record  of  the  Annual 
Meeting  of  the  Society  in  May,  1832,  which  are  as  follows:  "  In  the  course  of  the  year, 
an  order  was  obtained  from  the  President  of  Harvard  College  for  the  surrender  of  such 
articles  as  might  remain  of  the  old  Linnsean  Society,  in  pursuance  of  \vhich  a  (juantity  of 
refuse  matter  was  sent  to  the  Society's  room,  but  nothing  of  any  considerable  value  was 
obtained." 

Early  action  was  taken  to  render  the  monthly  meetings  interesting,  first,  by  referring 
specimens  presented  to  such  Curators  as  were  the  most  interested  in  the  department 
to  which  they  belonged,  to  report  upon  at  the  next  meeting.  This  added  much  interest 
to  the  proceedings,  and  led  to  better  attendance.  At  that  time,  so  little  was  known  of 
many  of  the  objects  now  familiar  to  all  in  the  collections  of  natural  history,  that  many 
which  would  now  be  received  without  remark,  Ijecause  of  their  well  known  character, 
excited  not  only  much  interest,  but  considerable  discussion.  It  was  at  a  time  when  a 
convoluted  mass  of  chalcedony  might  have  been  seen  in  the  Boston  Museum,  labelled 
jjetrified  kidney,  when  at  the  store  of  a  dealer  in  curiosities,  within  a  stone's  throw  of  the 
hall  of  the  Society,  fossil  corals  were  exposed  for  sale  as  petrified  flagroot,  when  Ammonites 
upon  being  discovered  in  the  rocks  were  heralded  in  the  papers  as  coiled  snakes, 
sometimes  mentioned  as  being  as  large  as  cart-wheels,  and  exciting  wonder  in  proportion 
to  their  size.  The  writer  well  remembers  receiving  notice  of  a  remarkable  "  petrified 
bug  "  in  a  museum  at  New  Orleans,  and  upon  its  being  procured  and  sent  to  him, 
finding  it  to  be  an  excellent  specimen  of  a  Trilobite,  originally,  no  doubt  from  the  Trenton 
limestone  of  New  York. 

Soon  after  the  organization  of  the  Society  a  room  was  hired  for  its  use  in  the 
Athenoeum  building  in  Pearl  street.  Here  its  collections  were  deposited  and  here  the 
meetings,  after  the  first  two,  were  held  until  more  suitable  accommodations  were  obtained 
three  years  afterwards.  The  early  meetings  took  place  in  the  evening,  but  subsequently 
for  several  years  in  the  afternoon,  sometimes  at  3  and  sometimes  at  o^  o'clock. 
They  were  held  once  a  month  until  August,  1833,  but  after  this  time  twice  a  month. 

In  January,  1831,  measures  were  taken  to  procure  an  act  of  incorporation  for  the 
Society,  and  in  the  same  month,  in  view  of  the  grciit  lack  of  books  on  Natural  History,  it 
was  Voted  —  That  this  Society  considers  a  library  of  works  essential  to  its  success ;  and 
funds  were  appropriated  to  purchase  the  Ix'st  elementary  books  in  the  different  branches 
of  natural  history. 

A  Committee  of  the  Council  was  also  appointed  at  this  time  to  apply  to  the  Governor  and 
his  Council  requesting  that  the  gentleman  making  a  Geological  Survey  of  the  State  might 
furnish  the  Society  with  a  suite  of  geological  specimens.  No  further  reference  is  made  to 
this  matter,  and  the  request  does  not  appear  to  have  been  I'avorably  considered,  as  no  such 
collection  ever  became  the  property  of  the  Society.  The  State  Collection  itself,  was,  how- 
ever, deposited  for  several  years  in  the  Society's  rooms. 

A  singular  provision  to  obtain  information  was  made  in  February,  1831,  by  a  vote 
passed,  which  was  in  substance  as  follows : 


18  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 

That  a  blank  book  be  provided  and  placed  on  the  table  in  -which  may  be  written 
queries  on  subjects  of  natural  history  l)y  any  n.ember  and  such  answers  as  may  be  given; 
unless  the  latter  may  be  of  considerable  length,  when  they  may  be  put  on  file. 

March  18,  1831.  A  special  meeting  of  the  Society  was  held  to  accept  the  Act  of  Incor- 
poi'ation,  and  to  organize  under  it,  which  was  done.  The  Constitution  and  By-laws  were 
re-adopted,  the  only  change  made  being  that  of  providing  that  the  Annual  Meetings  of 
the  Society  be  held  on  the  first  Wednesday  of  May  each  year,  and  that  stated  meetings  be 
held  on  the  first  Wednesday  of  every  month.  The  same  officers  were  elected  the  preceding 
year,  excepting  that  Dr.  Storer  was  chosen  to  fill  the  place  of  Theophilus  Parsons  who  had 
resigned,  and  J.  S.  Cople}'  Gi'eene  was  chosen  Curator  in  the  place  of  B.  D.  Greene  elected 
President. 

May  4,  1831.  In  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  the  Constitution  as  re-adopted  in 
March,  the  first  Annual  Meeting,  so  called,  of  the  Society,  was  held  on  this  day.  As  an 
account  of  the  receipts  and  expenditures  during  the  period  from  its  organization  to  this 
time  may  interest  the  pi'esent  generation  of  members,  the  items  are  recorded  and  given 
in  full. 

Receipts:  Admission  of  75  Members 1375.00 

Tickets  sold  for  Lectures 600.22    1975.22 

Expenditures:      Compensation  of  Lectures 340.00 

Fuel,  Lights,  Advertising  and  Printing  Tickets  for  Lectures  86.20 

Rent  of  Society  Rooms 125.00 

Fuel  and  attendance  Society  Rooms 7.00 

Cabinets  UIO,  and  Chairs  $14.77 184.77 

Other  small  bills 57.07    $800.64 


Leaving  at  disposal  of  the  Society $174.58 

The  Society  proceeded   to    the  choice   of  officers  for  the  year,  and  the  following  named 
gentlemen  were  elected : 

Dr.  Benj.  D.  Greene,  President. 

Dr.  George  Hayward,  First  Yice-President. 

Dr.  John  Ware,  Seco7nl  Vice-President. 

Dr.  Gamaliel  Bradford,  Corresponding  Secretary. 

Dr.  D.  Humphreys  Storer,  Recording  Secretary. 

Simon  E.  Greene,  Treasurer. 

Dr.  Seth  Bass,  Librarian. 

CUEATOKS : 

Francis  C.  Gray,  Dr.  Joseph  W.  McKean,  Dr.  Josluia  B.  Flint, 

Dr.  Amos  Binney,  Jr.,  Rev.  J.  S.  Copley  Greene,  Dr.  Augustus  A.  Gould. 

George  B.  Emerson,  Francis  Alger, 

To  avoid  frequent  repetition  the  names  of  those  elected  each  year  will  not  be  mentioned 
hereafter,   except  in  a  summary  of  the  past  officers  of  the   Society   at  the  end  of  this 


BOSTON  SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  19 

sketch.      The  election  at  this  time  being  the   first  under  the   act  of  incorporation,  tliis 
list  of  those  chosen  is  given  in  full. 

A  letter  was  received  at  this  time  from  Professor  Edward  Hitchcock,  then  engaged  in 
making  a  Geological  Survey  of  the  State,  requesting  the  aid  of  members  of  the  Society  in 
furnishing  lists  of  the  animals  of  Massachusetts,  to  be  published  with  his  report.  The 
following  were  appointed  by  the  Council  to  serve  as  requested  :  Thos.  Nuttall  and  Simon 
E.  Greene,  on  Ornithology;  Drs.  John  Ware  and  Joshua  B.  Flint,  Mannnalia;  Dr.  J.  V.  C. 
Smith,  on  Ichthyology ;  Drs.  Bass,  Storer,  and  Binney,  on  MoUusca ;  Drs.  Harris  and 
Gould  on  Entomology;  Dr.  B.  D.  Greene,  on  Zoophytes.  They  were  to  submit  their 
reports  to  the  Society. 

In  July,  1831,  the  Committee  on  lectures  reported  that  it  was  expedient  to  have  fifteen, 
and  the  following  gentlemen  were  invited  to  deliver  them :  Dr.  George  Hayward,  the 
2d,  3d  and  4th,  on  the  natural  history  of  man  ;  Dr.  Joshua  B.  Flint,  the  5th  and  6th,  on 
quadrupeds ;  Simon  E.  Greene,  the  7th  and  8th,  on  birds  ;  Dr.  McKean,  the  0th  and 
10th  on  reptiles;  Dr.  D.  Humphreys  Storer,  the  11th  and  12th,  on  shells;  Dr.  Thaddeus 
W.  Harris,  the  loth,  14th  and  15th,  on  insects.  Mr.  Fi-ancis  C.  Gray  was  afterwards 
appointed  to  give  the  introductoi-y  one. 

This  course  of  lectures  was  given  the  ensuing  season,  but  no  record  is  found  of  the 
result.  That  it  was  pecuniarily  unsuccessful  is,  however,  clear  from  a  statement  made 
when  the  question  of  another  series  came  up  in  the  following  February,  to  the  purport 
that  the  fixilure  was  disheartening. 

In  February,  1832,  a  proposal  was  received  from  Mr.  Savage  of  the  Savings  Bank,  for 
leasing  a  room  in  the  building  to  be  erected  for  that  institution  on  Tremont  street.  This 
led  to  the  appointment  of  a  committee  to  confer  with  him,  and  finally  to  an  arrangement 
by  which  the  hall  of  the  third  story  was  engaged  for  the  use  of  the  Society. 

In  February  also,  the  committee  on  lectures  reported  that  a  course  for  the  next  season 
was  absolutely  necessary  for  the  prosperity  of  the  Society.  They  advised  that  seventeen 
should  be  given,  and  that  Mr.  Edward  Everett  be  asked  to  deliver  the  introductory  one  ; 
that  the  price  of  tickets  should  Ije  $2  for  the  single  one,  and  $1  for  each  additional  ; 
that  the  lecturers  be  requested  to  deliver  them  gratuitously ;  and  that  the  whole 
arrangement  for  the  coui'se  be  to  the  important  one  of  increasing  the  finances  of  the 
Society.  The  committee  were  instructed  to  engage  Temple  Hall  for  the  lectures,  and  to 
make  all  necessary  arrangements  for  their  delivery. 

At  a  subsequent  meeting  of  the  Society,  doubts  were  expressed  relative  to  the  success 
financially,  of  the  proposed  course  for  1832-33,  and  apparently  to  ensure  this  it  was 
voted  to  put  the  tickets  at  %1.  Whatever  the  effect  of  this  reduction  may  have  been, 
it  is  certain,  from  the  Treasurer's  report  of  the  next  year,  that  financially,  the  course 
was  an  exceedingly  successful  one,  as  it  yielded  a  net  profit  of  $720  to  the  Society. 

In  March  of  this  year,  the  committee  on  publication  reported  that  it  was  expedient 
to  publish  a  Journal,  but  ncjthing  appears  to  have  been  done  towards  carrying  the 
recommendation  into  effect,  until  sometime  after.  The  report  of  the  conunittee  shows, 
however,  the  feeling  at  this  period  relative  to  such  publication.     There  seems  to   have 


20  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 

been  for  a  considerable  time  an  arrangement  with  the  proprietors  of  Silliman's  Journal, 
by  which  some  of  tht'  jKipors  read  before  the  Society  and  some  of  its  jiroceedings  appeared 
in  that  periodical. 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  May,  1832,  the  report  upon  the  collection  in  the  difTorent 
departments  stated  that  donations  were  withheld  from  the  Society  awaiting  its  having 
proper  accommodations  for  their  preservation  and  exhibition. 

At  the  election  of  officers  the  following  changes  were  made  :  Dr.  John  Ware  was  chosen 
first  Vice  President,  in  place  of  Dr.  George  Ha^^vard,  resigned  ;  Mr.  Francis  C.  Gray  was' 
chosen  second  Vice  President,  in  place  of  Dr.  John  Ware.  Dr.  Amos  Binney,  Jr.,  was 
chosen  Treasurer,  in  place  of  Mr.  Simon  E.  Greene,  resigned  ;  Mr.  Charles  Amory  was 
chosen  Lilirnrian,  in  place  of  Dr.  Seth  Bass,  resigned.  Dr.  Win.'^low  Lewis,  Messrs.  Wil- 
liam B.  Fowle,  Clement  Durgin,  Dr.  George  W.  Otis,  were  chosen  Curators,  inplace  of 
Mr.  F.  C.  Gray,  Dr.  Amos  Binney,  Jr.,  Rev.  J.  S.  Copley  Greene,  and  Dr.  Joshua  B. 
Flint. 

As  in  the  sketch  of  the  Linna^an  Society  the  earlier  proceedings  were  more  fully 
described,  so  in  the  account  of  this  Society  they  are  given  in  greater  detail  than  will 
be  possible  to  accord  to  the  subsequent  records,  consistently  with  proper  limits.  It  has 
seemed  well  to  dwell  somewhat  at  length  upon  early  transactions,  in  order  that  the  reader 
may  better  undei'stand  the  character  and  scope  of  the  work  undertaken  by  the  first 
members,  and  the  better  appreciate  their  earnestness  and  devotion.  To  do  full  justice 
to  their  merits,  it  woidd  be  necessary  to  imderstand  the  great  difticulty  of  procuring  any 
information  ujion  many  of  the  objects  sent  to  the  Society.  It  was  sometimes  impossible 
to  make  out  their  character,  and  often  found  indispensable  to  await  the  reception  of  works 
on  natural  history  before  any  adequate  idea  could  be  expressed  concerning  them. 
Mr.  Samuel  11.  Scudder,  in  a  brief  sketch  of  the  history  of  the  Society,  given  some  j-ears 
since,  quotes  what  seems  particularly  appropriate  to  repeat  here.  One  of  the  original 
members  recalling,  in  after  years,  the  success  of  their  undertaking,  wrote  thus  of  the 
difficulties  encountered  : 

"  At  the  time  of  the  establishment  of  the  Society  there  was  not,  I  believe,  in  New 
England  an  institution  devoted  to  the  study  of  natural  history.  There  was  not  a  college 
in  New  England,  excepting  Yale,  where  philosophical  geology  of  the  modern  school  was 
taught.  There  was  not  a  work  extant  by  a  New  England  author  which  presumed  to  grasp 
the  geological  structure  of  any  portion  of  our  territory  of  greater  extent  than  a  county. 
There  was  not  in  existence  a  bare  catalogue,  to  say  nothing  of  a  general  history,  of  the 
animals  of  Massachusetts,  of  any  class.  There  was  not  within  our  borders  a  single 
museum  of  natural  history  founded  according  to  the  requirements  and  based  upon  the 
system  of  modern  science,  nor  a  single  journal' advocating  exclusively  its  interests. 

"  We  were  dependent  chiefly  upon  books  and  authors  foreign  to  New  England  for  our 
knowledge  of  our  own  zoology.  There  was  no  one  among  us  who  had  anything  like  a 
general  knowledge  of  the  birds  which  fly  about  us,  of  the  fishes  which  fill  our  waters,  or  of 
the  lower  tribes  of  anmials  that  swarm  both  in  air  and  in  sea. 

"  Some  few  individuals  there  were,  distinguished  by  high  attainments  in  particular 
branches,  and  who  formed  honorable  exceptions  to  the   iudifterence  which   prevailed ;  but 


BOSTON  SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  21 

there  was  no  concentration  of  opinions  or  of  knowledge,  and  no  means  of  knowing  Low 
ninch  or  how  little  was  known.  The  laborer  in  natural  history  worked  alone,  without  aid 
or  encouragement  from  others  engaged  in  the  same  pursuits,  and  without  the  approbation 
of  the  puldic  mind,  which  regarded  them  as  Inis^'  triflers." 

In  August  of  this  j^ear  Dr.  Martin  Gay  reported  in  reference  to  some  objects  which  he 
had  been  requested  to  give  an  account  of,  that  it  was  impossible  to  do  so,  because  of  the 
want  of  neccvssary  books. 

In  October  the  Council  held  a  meeting  for  the  especial  object  of  arranging  the  Hall, 
which  the  Society  was  to  occupy,  for  the  Cabinet. 

In  December,  recognizing  the  importance  of  a  permanent  fund,  it  was  voted  in  Council 
assembled — That  all  money  received  from  Patrons  and  Life  Members  should  be  invested  in 
bank  stock  for  the  purpose  of  creatmg  one. 

Probaljly  the  most  important  event  of  the  year  was  the  election  to  membership  of  Mr. 
Ambi'ose  S.  Courtis,  whose  subsequent  benefactions  were  a  great  aid  to  the  Society  when,  by 
reason  of  increased  expenditure  it  had  become  considerably  in  debt,  and  when  its  efficiency 
seemed  likely  to  be  much  impaired,  to  say  the  least,  for  the  want  of  means  to  carry  on  its 
work. 

In  March,  1833,  the  hall  engaged  for  the  Society  over  the  Savings  Bank  in  Tremont 
Street,  being  represented  as  ready  or  nearly  ready  for  occupancy,  a  committee  was 
appointed  to  remove  articles  to  it,  and  in  May  following  this  committee  reported  that  the 
cabinet  had  been  transferred  and  would  be  arranged  as  soon  as  circumstances  would 
admit.  It  was  announced  at  the  same  time  that  the  Historical  Society  had  voted  ta 
deposit  its  collection  of  Natural  History  in  the  cabinet  of  this  Society. 

Arrangements  were  made  early  in  the  year  for  a  course  of  lectures  in  the  winter  of 
1833  and  1834,  and  the  committee  having  this  liusiness  in  charge,  reported  that  Audubon 
would  deliver  the  introductory  one,  that  the  Rev.  Dr.  Greenwood  would  give  two  ; 
Dr.  Harris,  three  ;  Dr.  Gould,  one  ;  Dr.  Otis,  one ;  F.  C.  Gray,  one  ;  and  Dr.  C.  T.  Jack- 
son, two.  It  was  subsequently  stated  that  as  Mr.  Gray  had  declined  to  serve,  Dr.  Bradford 
had  been  substituted  in  his  place,  and  that  he  would  give  two  lectures.  The  committee 
considered  it  expedient  to  pay  $15  for  each  lecture. 

Dr.  J.  V.  C.  Smith,  an  active  member  of  the  Society,  who  had  devoted  much  time  to  the 
study  of  fishes,  and  had  made  quite  a  large  collection  of  tlicm,  oflered  to  sell  all  that  he 
possessed  at  a  very  low  price,  and  a  committee  appointed  for  the  purpose  of  considering 
the  subject,  having  reported  in  favor  of  securing  them  for  the  cal)inet,  they  were 
purchased  for  the  sum  of  $100.  The  collection  was  contained  mainly  in  111  glass 
vessels,  many  having  several  specimens,  and  was  generally  in  good  condition.  Besides  the 
contents  of  the  bottles,  there  were  several  dried  preparations. 

At  the  Annual  election  of  officers  in  May,  Mr.  Chas.  K.  Dillaway  was  chosen  Libra i-i an 
in  place  of  Mr.  Charles  Amory,  resigned,  and  Dr.  Chas.  T.  Jackson,  Curator,  in  jilace  of 
Mr.  Clement  Durgin,  resigned. 

The  president,  B.  D.  Greene,  at  one  of  the  meetings  of  the  Council  of  the  Society  this 
year,  expressed  a  strong  desire  that  a  fund  of  $5000  might  be  raised,   the  interest  of 


22  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 

which  should  l)e  devoted  to  paying  the  rent  bills  inciirred  by  the  Society.  He  Avislied 
that  we  might  feel  independent,,  and  thought  with  such  provision  against  indebtedness 
there  would  need  be  no  doubt  of  success.  He  then  pledged  himself  ready  to  furnish 
$500  for  this  object.  Mr.  Charles  Amory  likewise  pledged  himself  to  raise  $400.  Noth- 
ing further  seems  to  have  been  done  towards  the  creation  of  such  fund. 

Pending  the  ari'angement  of  the  cabinet  in  the  new  hall,  and  the  necessary  prepar- 
ation for  its  use,  meetings  were  not  held  in  June  or  July  of  this  year. 

The  first  meeting  in  the  new  hall  was  held  on  Aug.  7.  The  cabinet  of  the  Society, 
increased  by  the  collection  purchased  of  Dr.  J.  V.  C.  Smith,  had  been  fully  arranged 
during  the  summer  months.  The  magnificent  collection  of  shells  laelonging  to  Dr.  Amos 
Binney,  Jr.,  and  of  minerals  belonging  to  Dr.  Chas.  T.  Jackson  had  also  been  deposited 
with  the  cabinet  of  the  Society,  and  put  on  exhibition. 

Surrounded  by  such  evidences  of  prosperity,  the  membei's  might  well  feel  gratified  at 
what  had  been  accomplished  in  the  past,  and  reasonably  hopeful  for  the  future.  They 
were  rejoiced  too,  by  the  accession  of  a  large  number  of  specimens  to  the  several 
departments  of  the  Museum,  that  had  long  awaited  a  fitting  place  for  their  reception. 

Before  adjourning,  it  was  voted  that  hereafter  meetings  be  held  twice,  instead  of  once  a 
month,  as  heretofore.  Accordingly  on  the  21st  of  August  the  second  meeting  for  the 
month  was  held,  and  a  large  number  of  members  were  present.  At  this  meeting  an 
address  was  delivered  before  the  Society  by  the  Rev.  F.  W.  P.  Greenwood,  commem- 
orative of  the  opening  of  their  new  hall.  This  very  admirable  address  was  published  in 
full  in  the  first  volume  of  the  Journal  of  the  Society.  As  the  first  paragraph  undoubt- 
edly expresses  fully  the  feeling  pervading  the  minds  of  all  the  members,  it  is  quoted  here. 

"  With  good  cause,  gentlemen,  may  we  congratulate  each  other  at  this  meeting,  on  our 
condition  and  prospects  as  a  Society.  This  spacious  and  delightfully  situated  apartment ; 
these  neat  and  well  contrived  cases  and  tables,  already  exhibiting  treasures,  the  lustre  of 
which  is  more  pleasant  to  the  eyes  of  science  than  the  shining  of  silver  and  gold ;  this 
convenient  furniture;  these  ample  accommodations — are  all  indubitable  evidences  of  our 
improved,  established,  and  promising  state.  Everything  wears  a  congratulatory  aspect. 
Our  countenances  are  full  of  animation.  Even  the  mute  rej^resentatives  from  the  several 
kingdoms  of  Nature,  which  here  in  new  order  surround  us,  seem  to  participate  in  our 
pleasure,  and,  rejoicing  in  their  deliverance  from  the  damp  and  obscure  region  in  which 
they  have  been  hidden,  to  l)id  us  welcome  to  upper  air,  and  the  comforts  of  our  present 
abode."  Another  quotation  from  the  address  of  Dr.  Greenwood  will  find  an  appropriate 
place  in  this  liistory.  before  its  conclusion. 

It  may  be  well  to  note,  as  showing  the  comprehensive  ideas  relative  to  the  work  of  the 
Society,  that  a  committee  at  this  meeting  was  appointed  at  Dr.  J.  V.  C.  Smith's  desire,  to 
consult  with  him  upon  the  expediency  of  forming  a  zoological  garden.  Nothing  of 
course  covdd  come  from  this  under  the  circumstances  of  the  period,  and  the  consum- 
mation of  such  a  wish  seems  now  but  a  remote  possibility  of  the  future. 

Action  was  taken  at  a  meeting  of  the  council  in  October  of  this  year,  which 
shows  that  as  yet  the  public  were  not  admitted  to  view  the  Society's  treasures,  as  a  record 


BOSTON  SOCIETY   OF   NATURAL  HISTORY.  23 

states  that  a  vote  was  passed  to  allow  those  wlio  purchased  tick'cts  to  the  lectures  the 
privilege  of  visiting  the  Society's  cabinet  one  day  each  week. 

Early  this  year  a  committee  was  appointed  to  ins])ect  the  rock  spi-ciinciis  and  iniiuTals 
collected  by  Dr.  Hitchcock  in  making  the  survey  of  the  State,  and,  if  thouglit  best,  to 
petition  the  Legislatnre  to  allow  them  to  be  deposited  with  tbe  collection  of  tbe  Society. 
This  was  done,  and  for  many  years  following  the  whole  State  collection  arranged  in  propi'r 
order  was  on  exhibition  with  that  of  the  Society. 

18o4.  In  February,  a  very  triumphant  vindication,  by  the  Ilev.  John  Bachman,  of  the 
accuracy  of  the  observations  and  truthfulness  of  the  statements  of  Ibe  lionort'd  and  beloved 
Audubon,  written  against  attacks  made  upon  iiis  veracity  which  appeared  in  Loudon's 
Mai'-azine,  was  read  before  the  Society,  and  subsequently  pubiislu'd  in  the  lirst  volume  of 
the  Journal.     It  excited  great  interest  at  the  time  and  was  regarded  as  I'ully  conclusive. 

At  the  annual  meeting  in  May,  the  Curators  reported  that  the  collection  contained  of 
Mammalia,  1-4  perfect  ligamentary  skeletons,  34  crania,  1 5  pairs  horns  and  many  teeth; 
of  Reptiles,  IG  Chelonia,  CO  Ophidia,  52  Saurians  ;  of  Birds,  40  species;  of  Corals,  .30 
species;  of  Fishes,  about  100  species,  well  preserved;  of  Insects,  about  4000  species,  of 
which  2000  were  numbered  per  catalogue;  of  Shells,  1600  to  2000  species;  of  Plants, 
about  800  specimens,  nearly  all  from  the  neighborhood.  Of  the  Insects  it  stated  that  the 
collection  would  soon  surpass  all  in  America. 

Before  the  election  of  officers,  an  alteration  in  the  Constitution  and  By-laws  proposed 
at  a  previous  meeting  was  made,  by  which  the  office  of  Cabinet  Keeper  was  created. 
His  duties  were  defined  to  be  the  general  charge  of  the  rooms  of  the  Society,  that  the 
contents  be  kept  in  the  best  order,  that  he  should  select  a  competent  person  as  a  porter, 
who  should  be  under  his  immediate  control,  and  that  Avhen  convenient  lie  should  attend 
personally  at  the  rooms  upon  days  of  public  exhibition. 

Upon  jjalloting,  Eev.  F.  W.  P.  Greenwood  was  chosen  Second  ^"ice-President  in  place  of 
Francis  C.  Gray,  resigned  ;  I)i-.  Amos  Binney,  Jr.,  Corresponding  Secretary,  in  place  of 
Dr.  Gamaliel  Bradford;  Epes  S.  Dixwell,  Treasurer,  in  place  of  Dr.  A.  Binney.  Jr. ;  Dr.  J. 
B.  S.  Jackson,  Curator,  in  place  of  Francis  Alger,  resigned ;  Estes  Howe,  Cabinet  Keeper. 
In  October,  the  comtnittee  on  lectures  for  the  season  reported  that  Professor  Hitchcock 
of  Amherst,  Rev.  F.  W.  P.  Greenwood,  and  Dr.  Flint,  had  been  chosen  to  deliver  them, 
and  they  advised  that  f  20  be  })aiil  for  each  lecture.  This  programme  was  probaljly  carried 
out  as  there  is  no  mention  to  the  contrary.  In  November,  Dr.  Ware  suggested  applying 
to  the  Legislature  for  a  grant  in  aid  of  the  objects  of  the  Society,  and  a-  committee  was 
appointed  to  ask  it.  Tiie  result  of  this  was  a  subsidy  of  three  hundred  dollars  per  annum, 
for  five  years,  granted  by  the  State,  payment  of  which  commenced  in  1845. 

1835.  At  the  first  meeting  of  the  Society  in  January,  the  mendiers  were  cheered 
by  tiie  announcement  that  one  of  their  number  who  was  in  Europe,  iMr.  Ambrose  S. 
Courtis,  had  provided  in  a  will  nnide  by  him  that  the  Society  should  receive  certain  sums 
for  specific  purposes  amounting  in  all  to  1 15,000,  and  that  to  ensure  the  reception  of  a 
part  of  it  soon,  he  had  foi-\varded  an  order  I'or  the  immediate  payment  of  $2000.  This 
amount  was  received  by  the  Society.  It  is  painful  to  add,  considering  the  Society's  financial 
condition,  that  this  whole  sum  was  lost  by  the  failure  of  a  bank  in  which  it  was  deposited. 
There  were  conditions  annexed  to  the  benefiictiou  of  Mr.  Courti.s,  which  were  not  entirely 


24  niSTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  TIIK 

satisfactory,  and  a  ooiniiiittoe  was  appointed  to  correspond  with  liiin  and  suggest  some 
modiiication  of  tlieiii. 

Up  to  this  tiuK'  the  meetings  of  tlic  Council  had  nni  hccii  held  ri'gularlv.  hut  only  as 
occasion  seemed  to  recpiire.  It  was  now.  Januai'v  7th.  \-otiMl  that  they  he  iioldrn  twice 
each  montli.  immediately  after  the  reguhir  meetings  of  tiie  Society. 

At  the  annual  meeting  in  May,  it  Avas  reported  that  hesides  the  ^2000  cash  helore 
mentioned,  a  note  payahle  in  five  years  for  a  like  amount  had  heen  received  from  Mr. 
Courtis, 

It  was  also  reported  that  the  usual  success  did  not  atten(]  the  lectures  of  the  last  season, 
the  expenses  having  exceeded  the  receipts,  ^177.05.  I  lie  lirst  '■'annuaV  so  called, 
issued  b}'  the  Society,  embracing  the  address  delivered  by  the  Kev.  F.  W.  P.  Greenwood, 
upon  opening  of  the  new  hall ;  Remarks  in  defence  of  the  Author  of  the  Birds  of  America, 
by  the  Rev.  .IdIiu  l>aclnnaii ;  Description  of  a  (Jihi)on.  by  Winslow  Lewi<,  M.  D.  ;  Cicin- 
delae  of  Massiiehusetts,  by  Augustus  A.  Gould,  M.  1).  ;  and  observations  on  a  shell  in  the 
cabinet  of  the  Society,  supposed  to  be  identical  with  the  Murex  aruauus  of  Linnaeus,  by 
Dr.  Amos  Biimey,  Jr.,  was  reported  to  have  ])aid  for  itself  the  first  year.  These  papers 
compose  part  lirst  of  the   lirst  volume  of  the  Journal  of  the  Society. 

At  this  meeting  the  Annual  Address  was  delivered  by  Dr.  Walter  Channing.  Tt  is  thus 
spoken  of  in  the  record.  '•  Dr.  Channing  laid  the  Society  under  great  obligation  by  an 
exceedingly  well-timed  and  interesting  address.  The  objects  and  progress  of  the  Society, 
its  wants,  its  claims  upon  the  members  and  the  connuuuiiy  at  large,  the  i-easous  why  it 
should  ]i\c  and  llourish  ;  all  these  considerations  were  dwelt  u|ioii  with  an  eaniestne.ss  and 
enthusiasm  which  could  not  but  produce  a,  corresjujnding  iuipulse  in  the  uilnds  of  his 
hearers." 

The  thanks  of  the  Society  were  voted  to  Dr.  Channing.  and  he  was  requested  to  depo.sit 
a  cojiy  of  his  discourse  with  its  papers,  for  the  use  of  the  uiend)ers. 

In  a  revision  of  the  ])r(K-eedings  of  the  Society  published  .some  years  later  than  this 
period,  the  statement  is  distinctly  made  that  this  address  of  Dr.  Channing.  which  was 
highly  connuended  by  those  who  heard  it,  was  printed,  but  a  copy  has  lieen  sought 
in  vain.  Unfortunately  the  manuscript  itself  cannot  be  found  in  the  aicbives  of  the 
Society,  which  is  the  more  to  be  regretted  as  it  is  supi)Osed  to  have  iMubraced  matter  con- 
nected with  its  early  history,  that  would  have  been  interesting  to  present  in  these  pages. 

The  only  changes  made  in  the  officers  this  year  were  as  folloAvs :  Dr.  N.  B.  ShurtlefT 
was  chosen  Cabinet  Kee]K'r.  in  place  of  Estes  Howe,  resigned;  Dr.  Thaddeus  W.  Harris, 
Mr.  J.  E.  Tcschemacher.  and  Di-.  .Martin  (iay.  were  elected  Curators  in  j)lacc  of  Mr.  William 
B.  Fowle.  l)i'.  George  W.  Otis  aud  Dr.  Joseph  W.  McKean. 

In  June  ol'  this  year  the  curators  agreed  among  themselves  to  each  take  charge  of  sep- 
arate divisions  of  the  cabinet.  The  curatorships  were  not  assigned  to  .special  departments 
until  three  years  later. 

A  solar  microscope  was  received  this  year  from  Europe,  the  gift  of  Mr.  Ambrose  S. 
Courtis,  who  purchased  it  for  presentation  to  the  Society.  This  was  put  on  exhibition  for  its 
benefit,  the  members  only  being  admitted  gratis.  In  October  the  exhibition  having  ceased 
to  be  remunerative  was  closed.     lu  August,  the  committee  on  lectures  reported  that  they 


BOSTON   SOCIETY   OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  25 

Lad  been  disaj^pointed  in  every  way,  and  had  not  been  al)le  to  obtain  a  single  Icctiu-er. 
At  a  fsnbsequent  meeting,  Dr.  Gonld  expressed  his  unwillingness  that  the  lectures  should 
l>e  entirely  omitted,  and  offered  himself  to  give  a  course  on  Botany  in  the  Spring.  Tlie 
offer  was  accepted  and  a  connnittee  appointed  to  make  the  necessary  arrangements. 

1836.  In  April  of  this  year,  considerable  discussion  took  place  relative  to  the  means  of 
paying  the  debts  of  the  Society,  and  it  was  unanimously  voted  at  a  Council  Meeting  to 
expend  the  money  received  from  the  State  towards  this  end. 

At  a  meeting  this  month  it  was  announced  that  no  one  had  accepted  an  invitation  to 
deliver  the  annual  address,  and  it  was  therefore  voted  to  omit  it  and  have  the  report  of 
the  Curators  substituted. 

The  Annual  Meeting  was  held  May  4,  the  Rev.  F.  W.  P.  Greenwood  in  the  chair. 

From  the  Treasurer's  report  at  this  time,  the  liabilities  of  the  Society  were  shown  to  l)e 
$1476.70  with  a  cash  balance  of  only  $56.09  in  his  hands,  and  but  $:L27  due  it  from 
members,  much  of  which  mio-ht  not  be  realized.  The  Courtis  Fund  was  stated  to  be 
intact  and  amounting  to  $2057,  invested  in  Fulton  and  Granite  Bank  stocks. 

The  officers  of  the  previous  year  were  re-elected,  with  the  following  exceptions :  Rev. 
F.  W.  P.  Greenwood  was  chosen  first  Vice  President,  in  place  of  Dr.  John  Ware,  re- 
signed ;  Dr.  Walter  Channing,  second  Vice  President,  in  place  of  Rev.  F.  W.  P.  Green- 
wood ;  Dr.  Martin  Gay,  Recording  Secretary,  in  place  of  Dr.  D.  Humphreys  Storer ; 
Dr.  D.  Humphreys  Storer,  Curator,  in  place  of  Dr.  Martin  Gay.  The  thanks  of  the 
Society  were  presented  to  Dr.  Storer,  the  late  Secretary,  for  the  great  zeal,  accuracy 
and  fidelity  which  he  had  manifested  in  its  behalf  since  the  establishment  of  the  insti- 
tution. 

The  Cabinet  of  the  Society  had  been  enriched  by  the  addition  of  the  skeleton  of  an 
elephant  that  had  died  in  a  menagerie.  The  bones  were  stored  and  bleached  in  the  house 
of  Mr.  James  Blake,  and  a  vote  of  thanks  was  passed  to  him  for  his  great  kindness  in 
allowing  this,  and  for  the  care  shown  by  him  in  their  preservation.  To  the  skill  and  labor 
of  Dr.  Shurtleff"  the  Society  was  indebted  for  putting  them  together  and  forming  the 
perfect  skeleton. 

The  Committee  on  lectures  reported  in  August  that  it  was  not  expedient  to  have  a 
course  of  lectures  durinti;  the  comino'  season. 

At  a  meeting  held  Dec.  7,  Mr.  Epes  S.  Dixwell  resigned  the  office  of  Treasurer,  and 
Mr.  Ezra  Weston  was  elected  to  fill  the  vacancy  thus  created. 

1837.  The  Legislature  of  the  State  was  invited  to  visit  the  rooms  of  the  Society. 

In  February  of  this  year,  a  letter  having  been  written  to  the  Legislature  reconnneuding 
a  re-survey  of  the  State,  and  that  a  collection  of  the  plants  and  animals  should  be  made 
under  the  charge  of  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History,  a  Committee  was  appointed 
by  the  Society  to  meet  a  Committee  of  the  House,  to  whose  consideration  the  sul)ject  had 
been  given. 

In  April,  the  Legislatiu-e    authorised  the    Geological  Surxe}"  l)y  Prof  Hitchcock,  and 
the  following  persons  were   commissioned  subsequently  to  report  upon  the  Botany  and 
Zoology  of  the  State  :  George  B.  Emerson,  President  Boston  Society  of  Natm'al  History 
Chester  Dewey,  Professor  of  Botany  in  the  Berkshire  Medical  Institute  ;  Ebene/.er  Eunnons, 
M.  D.,  Professor  of  Natural  History  in  Williams  College  ;  Rev.  William  B.  0.  Peabody,  of 


2G  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  '11  IK 

Sprin<rfiel(l ;  Tliiuldeiis  W.  Harris,  M.  D.,  Lilirarian  Harvard  University  ;  D.  H.  Storcr, 
M.  D.,  Curator  of  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History ;  Augustus  A.  Gould,  M.  D.,  Curator 
of  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History. 

These  gentlemen  met,  and  it  was  arranged  among  them  that  Professor  Emmons  shoidd 
undertake  to  report  upon  Mammalia;  Rev.  Mr.  Peabody,  upcm  the  Birds;  Dr.  Storer, 
upon  Fishes  and  Reptiles  ;  Dr.  Harris  upon  Insects ,  Dr.  Gould,  iipoii  Mollusca,  Cnista- 
cea,  and  Eadiata;  Professor  Dewey,  upon  the  Herbaceous  Plants  ;  and  Mr.  Emerson  upon 
the  Trees  and  Shrubs. 

Tlie  Reports  presented  to  the  Legislature  were  puljlished  in   1839-1846. 

It  will  be  remend)ered  that  in  January,  18.j5,  the  announcement  was  made  to 
the  members  that  Mr.  Anibi-osc  S.  Courtis  had  provided  in  a  will  that  the  Society 
should  receive  certain  sums  for  specific  purposes,  amounting  to  $15,000,  and  tliat 
prepayment  had  been  directed  by  him  of  |2,000  of  that  amount.  A  copy  of  the 
will  had  been  forwarded  by  him  for  examination  by  the  Society,  and  a  committee 
on  its  part  had  been  appointed  to  suggest  some  modifications  of  its  ])rovisious. 

It  is  not  known  whether  the  matter  received  his  attention.  Possibly  his  change 
of  residence  from  place  to  place  delayed  the  reception  by  liim  of  the  communication 
of  the  committee  until  increasing  illness  prevented  consideration  of  it.  Intelligence 
of  his  death  was  received  a  few  months  after.  What  is  known  of  this  early  benefactor 
of  the  Society  is  but  meagre.     It  will  however  be  read  with  grateful  interest, 

Mr.  Ambrose  Stacy  Courtis,  for  that  was  his  full  name,  was  born  in  Marblehead,  Mass., 
on  March  1,  1798.  He  received  only  a  connnon  school  education,  but  early  acquired  a 
taste  for  literature  and  science,  which  often  manifested  itself  in  his  subsequent  life. 
Upon  leaving  school  he  entered  a  country  stoi-e  of  his  native  ])lace,  and  there  was  ac- 
customed to  devote  all  the  spare  tiiiie  he  had  to  classical  and  scientilic  studies.  He 
afterwards  came  to  Boston,  and  entered  into  pai-tnership  with  Mr.  Samuel  Johnson,  the 
firm  l)eing  Johnson  &  Courtis.     The  business  was  that  of  wholesale  dry  goods. 

While  actively  engaged  in  that  occupation,  he  kept  up  his  interest  in  other  pursuits, 
devoting  much  spare  time,  as  when  at  Marl)lehead,  in  reading  works  upon  his  favorite 
pursuits.  lie  accuniulatcd  ])roperty,  but  his  health  became  im])aired.  In  18;)4,  he 
retired  from  the  firm  ol'  wliicli  he  was  a  mend)er,  and  Iravt'lled  in  Europe,  hoping 
to  regain  his  .strength.  In  this  he  was  disappointed,  and  he  finally  died  in  Greece, 
August  27,  1830.     His  remains  were  brought  home  and  buried  at  Mount  Auburn. 

On  a  tablet  in  the  vestibule  of  the  Museum,  may  be  found  the  i'ollowing  inscription: 

TO 

AMBROSE   S.  COURTIS 

MERCHANT    OF    BOSTON 

WHOSE    GENEROUS    BEQUEST   IN    1838   WAS 

FOR    TWENTY-FIVE    YEARS    ITS    CHIEF    SUPPORT 

THE   IJOSTON   SOCIETY   OF   NATURAL   HISTORY 

ON  THE  FIFTIETH  ANNIVERSARY  OF  ITS  FOUNDATION 

APRIL  28   1880 

GRATEFULLY   INSCIUBES   THIS   TABLET 


BOSTON  SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL   HISTORY.  27 

There  seems  to  have  been  some  anxiety  on  the  part  of  the  Society  relative  to  the  will 
of  Mr.  Courtis.  In  February  of  this  year,  at  a  meeting  of  the  Council,  extracts  were  read 
and  considered,  and  finally  a  committee  was  appointed  to  take  charge  of  the  matter  with 
power  to  take  legal  measures  if  necessary  to  protect  the  Society's  interests. 

At  the  Annual  Meeting  in  May,  the  Rev.  Hul)ljard  Winslow  delivered  an  address  on 
the  relation  of  natural  science  to  revealed  religion,  which  was  subsequently  publi-shed  by 
the  Society.     It  is  spoken  of  in  the  records  as  an  ingenious,  eloquent  and  fervid  address. 

The  Ti-easurer's  report  at  this  meeting  shows  the  Society  had  on  hand  but  ^180.17, 
whilst  it  owed  a  note  for  $677  with  10  months  interest. 

No  money  had  been  expended  on  the  library  during  the  year,  and  the  need  of  a  fund 
for  the  pui-chase  of  books  which  were  indispensable  for  progress  was  strongly  felt. 
Dr.  Storer  reported  upon  the  state  of  the  collections,  giving  a  very  elaborate  account  of 
the  condition  of  every  department,  with  notice  of  the  many  valuable  additions  made  to  it 
during  the  year. 

The  most  important  acquisition  was  that  of  the  great  collection  of  insects  purchased  of 
Professor  Hentz,  the  entomologist,  then  residing  in  Florence,  Alabama.  This  was  the 
fruit  of  seventeen  years  labor  in  this  field  of  study,  and  was  undoubtedly  one  of  the  Ijest 
collections  extant.  Professor  Hentz  was  very  desirous  that  the  wliole  collection  should  be 
possessed  by  some  society  of  similar  character  to  our  own,  rather  than  that  it  should  be 
sold  abroad.  He  had  previously  offered  it  to  Harvard  College,  together  with  liis  ento- 
mological books,  for  |1600,  but  the  offer  had  been  declined.  Professor  T.  W.  Harris,  then 
Curator  of  the  Entomological  department  of  the  Society,  interested  himself  in  obtaining 
subscriptions  in  its  behalf,  and  after  much  exertion,  obtained  in  this  way  enough  to  sectu-e 
the  collection,  and  also  such  portion  of  the  library  of  Professor  Hentz  as  was  most  needed 
for  oiu-  Society.  The  insects  alone  cost  $550,  the  books  $200,  and  other  incidental 
expenses,  |39,  making  in  all  $789. 

The  principal  donors  to  the  fund  were  Dr.  B.  D.  Greene,  Dr.  James  Jackson, 
Dr.  George  C.  Shattuck,  Hon.  Francis  C.  Gray,  Hon.  Jonathan  Phillips,  Dr.  John  Randall, 
the  Hon.  David  Henshaw  and  an  anonymous  person  who  gave  $250  of  the  amount. 

The  collection  contained,  by  the  count  of  Dr.  Harris  after  arrival,  l-i,126  specimens,  of 
which  12,811  were  American,  and  1315  foreign.  There  had  been  much  delay  in 
responses  to  the  application  for  subscriptions,  and  Dr.  Harris  was  annoyed  in  consequence. 
In  mentioning  the  great  accession  to  the  cabinet  at  the  annual  meeting,  lie  expresses 
himself  thus :  "  I  congratulate  the  society  in  the  ac(juisition  it  has  received,  and 
although  the  tediously  protracted  negotiation  has  caused  me  much  anxiety  and  vt'.xation. 
and  the  small  and  lingering  success  whicli  has  attended  my  efforts  in  your  behalf  has 
subjected  me  to  severe  mortification  and  disappointment,  I  cannot  but  feel  happy  at  the 
result.  It  is  my  hope  that  we  shall  have  here  in  entomology,  as  well  as  in  other  depart- 
ments, a  standard  collection,  rich  in  genera  and  species,  as  complete  as  possible  in  the 
productions  of  our  own  country,  arranged  and  with  the  names  affixed  to  every 
described  species.  Our  museum  tlien  will  be  useful,  not  t)idy  to  ourselves,  but  to  all 
others  who  may  wish  to  refer  to  well  authenticated  specimens,  to  remove  their  doubts  or 
confirm  their  conjectures." 


28  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 

The  reception  and  the  magnitude  ol'  this  eullection  has  been  partiouhirly  dwelt 
n|)on.  l)eeause  of  what  will  ibilow  in  due  time  respecting  its  fate.  It  is  necessary 
that  there  should  be  a  jiroper  appreciation  of  the  value  of  this  as  well  as  of  other 
unportant  collections  subsequently  allowed  to  perish,  in  order  that  lessons  may  be 
derived  from  experience  sucli  as  it  is  so  well  calculated  to  teach. 

Previous  to  the  election  of  officers,  the  highly  resjjected  and  much  Ijcloved  President, 
Benjamin  D.  Greene,  tendered  his  resignation,  greatly  to  the  regret  of  all.  The  following 
changes  were  made  :  Mr.  George  B.  Emerson  was  chosen  President,  in  the  jjlace  of 
Dr.  B.  D.  Gi'eene,  resigned  ;  Dr.  Amos  Binney,  2d  Vice  Pi-esident,  in  place  of  Dr.  Walter 
Channing,  resigned ;  Mr.  Epes  S.  Dixwell,  Corresponding  Secretary,  in  place  of  Dr. 
Amos  Binney  ;  Dr.  T.  M.  Brewer,  Cabinet  Keeper,  in  place  of  Dr.  N.  B.  Shurtlell"; 
Dr.  N.  B.  Shnrtleff,  Curator,  in  place  of  Mr.  George  B.  Emerson. 

In  August  of  this  3'ear,  Louis  Agassiz  was  elected  an  Honorary  Member,  and 
in  November,  Jeffi'ies  Wym;ui  was  elected  a  resident  member  of  the  Society.  These 
admissions  are  particularly  mentioned,  because  of  the  great  iniluence  these  gentlemen 
afterwards  exerted  upon  its  welfare. 

As  showing  the  linancial  trouble  of  the  Society,  it  may  be  mentioned  that  at  a 
meeting  of  the  Council  in  .N'ovembcr.  it  was  reported  that  the  rent  of  the  hall, 
$150,  was  due  in  two  days,  and  that  tliere  were  only  $50  on  hand  to  meet  the  call.  It 
wa.s  voted  that  the  treasurer  make  the  best  arrangement  in  his  power  with  Mr.  Savage, 
respecting  it. 

The  Committee  to  whom  the  subject  of  lectures  was  intrusted,  reported  that  several 
members  of  the  Society  had  ])ledged  themselves  to  bring  forward  at  times  such  exercises 
upon  the  subject  of  nnlural  history  as  they  thouglit  woidd  be  interesting  to  the 
public,  and  recommende<l  tliat  the  members  shouM  liave  the  privilege  of  attending 
these,  and  of  introducing  inenil)i'rs  of  their  families  and  strangers  who  migiil  be  in  tlie 
city.     The  reconnnendation  was  ado])ted. 

This  seems  to  have  led  not  exactly  to  what  was  suggested,  but  to  the  aihnission  of 
ladies  of  the  members'  families  and  such  others  as  they  chose  to  invite,  to  the  regular 
meetings;  for  at  the  next  one.  held  Dec.  20,  the  record  states  that  the  occasion  being  the 
first  on  which  ladies  had  been  invited,  the  President,  Mr.  Emerson,  addressed  the  Society 
upon  the  subject  of  this  invitation,  lie  ex])lained  the  ol)jects  of  the  Society  somewhat 
at  length,  and  said  much  to  interest  the  auilience  in  the  study  of  natural  history.  He 
spoke  of  the  many  pleasures  and  benclits  to  lie  derixcd  from  some  knowledge  of  Nature 
as  shown  in  lier  works  and  operations,  and  concluded  with  some  account  of  the  advantage 
we  have  over  the  ancients  in  our  more  extended  knowledge  of  these  subjects. 

The  admission  of  ladies  seems  to  have  had  lor  a  time  considerable  influence  u])on 
the  attendance,  as  the  number  of  members  reported  as  present  at  this  and  succeeding 
nveetings  was  nuich  larger  than  had  been  usual.  There  was  a  gradual  falling  oflf  how- 
ever, but  how  soon  ladies  ceased  to  attend  is  not  mentioned  in  the  reports  of  subsequent 
meetings. 

18-38.  In  .lanuary.  the  Council  voted  :  That  m)tice  be  given  by  written  card  posted  up 
in  the  State  House,  that  the  Museum   will   be  open  every  Wednesday,  between  12  and  2 


BOSTON  SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  29 

o'clock,  for  visits  from  the  public,  and  that  the  member,s  oi  the  Legislature  be  invited  to 
examine  it  at  those  times. 

By  the  advice  of  the  Council,  an  alteration  was  made  in  the  By-laws  by  which  each 
Curator  should  have  his  particular  department  allotted  him  at  the  time  of  his  election ; 
he  to  have  the  privilege  of  selecting  from  among  the  members  of  the  Society  a  person  to 
assist  him  in  arranging  and  labelling  the  specimens. 

The  Annual  Address  was  delivered  this  year  l)y  Dr.  Chas.  T.  Jackson,  and  was  a  very 
intei'esting  and  lucid  discourse  upon  the  various  influences  of  the  study  of  Natural 
History  of  Man,  both  in  an  individual  and  a  social  capacity. 

At  the  election  of  officers  the  following  changes  were  made  :  Dr.  Augustus  A.  Could 
was  chosen  Recording  Secretary  in  place  of  Dr.  Martin  Gay ;  Dr.  Jeffries  Wyman, 
Cabinet  Keeper,  in  place  of  Dr.  Thos.  M.  Brewer. 

The  Curators  were  for  the  first  time  elected  for  special  departments ;  the  following  were 
chosen  : 

Dr.  N.  B.  Shurtleff,  for  Comparative  Anatomy;  Dr.  Thos.  M.  Brewer,  Birds;  Dr.  D. 
Humphreys  Storer,  Reptiles  and  Fish  ;  Dr.  Thaddeus  W.  Harris,  Insects;  Mr.  J.  E.  Tesch- 
emacher.  Botany ;  Dr.  Chas.  T.  Jackson,  Mineralogy  and  Geology,  State  Collection ; 
Dr.  Martin  Gay,  Mineralogy  and  Geology.  Society's  Collection. 

1839.  In  Januar}',  1839,  the  Legislature  was  formally  invited  to  visit  the  collection 
during  the  hours  when  it  was  open  to  the  public. 

Since  occupying  the  hall  in  Tremont  street,  the  libi'ary  of  the  Society  had  l)een 
jjlaced  in  cases  much  needed  for  portions  of  the  cabinet,  and  the  librarian  having  made 
a  proposition  to  receive  it  into  his  room  in  Tremont  Row,  where  the  books  could 
be  kept  together,  and  where  access  could  be  had  to  them  at  all  times,  and  at  all 
hours  of  every  day  ;  it  was  voted  to  accept  the  offer  of  the  librarian,  and  that  imoccupied 
cases  in  the  attic  over  the  hall  be  made  use  of  Ijy  him  for  the  reception  of  the  book.s 
in  his  room. 

The  necessity  for  more  room  for  the  increasing  collection  had  become  so  great, 
that  many  claims  were  at  once  presented  by  the  curators  of  several  departments  for 
the  space  about  to  be  vacated  by  removal  of  the  library,  and  it  became  necessary 
to  appoint  a  conunittee  with  power  to  assign  it  as  they  thought  expedient. 

At  the  Annual  Meeting  this  year,  the  Treasurer  reported  receipts  amounting  to 
$1337.18,  and  payments  $1167.51,  leaving  on  hand  $1G9.67,  with  debts  outstanding 
to  the  amount  of  $1001.90. 

The  Report  on  the  Cabinet  stated  that  out  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  species  of 
Massachusetts  Fishes  ninety  were  in  the  collection,  and  of  the  Reptiles  every  described 
species;  all  in  good  condition.  The  Annual  Address  was  delivered  by  Rev.  John  L.  Rus- 
sell, on  the  pursuit  and  delight  of  the  Study  of  Nature. 

At  the  election  the  changes  made  in  the  officers  were  as  follows  :  Dr.  Jeffries  W\nnan, 
chosen  Recording  Secretary,  in  place  of  Dr.  Augustus  A.  Gould  ;  Mr.  John  James 
Dixwell,  Treasurer,  in  place  of  Mr.  Ezra  Weston  ;  Dr.  Samuel  Caljot,  Jr..  Cabinet  Keeper 
in  place  of  Dr.  Jeffries  Wyman  ;  Dr.  Jeffries  Wyman,  Curator  of  Mammals,  in  ])lace  of 
Dr.  Winslow  Lewis;  Mr.  Thomas  J.  Whittemore,  Curator  of  Mulhisks  (office  not  previouslj^ 
filled). 


30  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 

III  June,  at  a  meeting  of  the  Council,  it  was  voted  that  the  Committee  to  wliom 
was  referred  the  affairs  rehiting  to  the  will  of  the  late  Ambrose  S.  Courtis,  be  authorized 
to  complete  the  negotiations  with  the  heirs  of  said  Courtis  on  such  terms  as  tliey 
may  deem  expedient,  and  to  receive  all  money  accruing  therefrom,  to  be  deposited 
in  some  bank   for  safe  keeping. 

Before  the  close  of  the  year,  a  settlement  was  made  with  the  heirs  of  Mr.  Courtis, 
by  which  they  were  to  be  released  from  all  oljligations,  upon  the  payment  of  ^10,250. 
For  some  reason  not  given,  $10,000  were  finally  received. 

In  October,  Dr.  Samuel  Cabot  resigned  the  office  of  Cabinet  Keeper,  and  Mr.  William 
I.  Bowditch  was  elected  to  the  position,  but  as  he  preferred  a  month  later  to  have 
another  substituted  in  his  place.  Dr.  Samuel  L.  Abbot  was  chosen   to  succeed   him. 

In  November,  a  report  was  made  upon  the  disposition  of  the  money  from  the 
Courtis  bequest,  and  the  members,  feeling  now  that  they  could  reasonabl}^  expend  some- 
thing towards  meeting  wants  long  felt :  Voted,  to  procure  such  books  as  were  most 
needed  for  the  library.  They  also  appointed  a  committee  to  make  an  estimate  of  the 
cost  of  mounting  the  Birds  of  Massachusetts  in  first  rate  order. 

In  December,  the  librarian  proposed  that  the  meetings  through  the  winter  should  be 
held  once  a  week  at  his  room  opposite  the  hall,  provided  he  should  be  made  a  life 
mendjer,  and  the  expenses  of  the  lights  and  fuel  be  paid  for  by  the  Society.  This  offer 
was  accepted,  and  the  meetings  were  accordingly  held  there. 

It  is  pleasant  to  notict'  in  looking  over  tlie  proceedings  of  the  Society,  that  it  was 
enabled  .sometimes  to  aid  otliers  in  scientific  measures  to  serve  the  public,  as  it  has  often 
done  in  more  recent  periods.  At  one  time  we  find  Prof  Hitchcock  appealing  to  it  for 
information  concerning  soils ;  at  another  the  specimens  of  tlie  Cabinet  were  solicited  by 
Prof.  Silliman  for  use  in  illustrating  his  great  course  of  lectures  before  the  Lowell  Insti- 
tute.    It  is  unneces.sary  to  add  that  these  calls  were  cheerfully  met. 

1840.  In  February,  of  this  year,  the  Society  was  saddened  by  the  death  of  one  of  its 
original  founders  and  most  interested  meml:)ers,  Mr.  Simon  E.  Greene.  This  gentleman 
was  a  business  man  of  great  a(;tivity.  In  early  years  he  was  an  officer  in  one  of  the  city 
banks,  but  afterwards,  and  until  the  close  of  his  life,  was  a  brokiT  in  whom  the  utmost 
confidence  was  placed.  All  ol  his  contemporaries  represent  hini  as  a  iiinn  hiLili  miiided 
and  honorable  in  all  his  dealings,  and  of  much  public  sjiirit.  He  was  a  ne[)lie\v  of 
Gen.  Simon  Elliott,  and  from  him  derived  his  name.  In  the  Ibrmation  of  the  Society  he 
was  not  only  one  of  the  original  members,  but  Avas  the  secretary  of  the  first  meeting  of 
gentlemen  favorable  to  the  formation  of  a  society  for  the  study  of  natural  history,  which 
was  held  at  Dr.  Walter  Channing's  house.  He  was  afterwards  api)ointed,  with  Dr.  Amos 
Binney,  Jr.,  to  call  upon  such  persons  as  it  was  thought  would  like  to  be  associated  in 
the  project  and  obtain  their  signatures.  At  the  Hrst  election  of  officers  for  the  new 
Society,  Mr.  Greene  was  chosen  Treasurer,  which  ollirc  he  held  for  two  years,  when  he 
resigned,  receiving  the  thanks  of  the  Society  for  the  services  rendered  by  him.  At  a 
meeting  held  February  12,  the  President  feelingly  alluded  to  the  loss  the  Society  had 
sustained,  stating  that  Mr.  Greene  had  a  great  love  for  the  study  of  nature,  more  partic- 
ulai'ly  for  the  departments  of  Ornithology  and  Botany ;  that  he  had  ever  shown  himself 


BOSTON  SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  31 

one  of  the  firmest  friends  of  the  Society,  ready  to  assist  and  co-operate  with  others  in 
times  of  need,  and  on  all  occasions  manifesting  a  strong  interest  in  its  prosperity  and 
nsefulness.  The  following  resolutions,  offered  by  the  President,  were  unanimously 
adopted  : 

"  Resolved,  that  in  the  death  of  our  late  valued  and  honored  associate,  Simon  Elliott 
Greene,  we,  members  of  this  Society,  feel  that  we  have  lost  a  firm,  liberal,  and  enlight- 
ened friend. 

"  That  we  cherish  fondly  in  oiu'  hearts  the  memory  of  his  many  virtues  as  a  generous 
friend,  an  honorable  merchant,  a  ^jerfectly  upriglit  and  honest  man  ;  and  that  while 
we  mourn  over  our  loss,  we  deeply  sympathize  with  those  whose  bereavement,  from  their 
nearer  connection  with  our  friend,  is  still  more  heavy  than  ours." 

Mr.  Greene,  though  bearing  the  same  family  name,  was  not  connected  by  ties  of 
relationship  with  the  President.  His  means  were  limited,  but  he  manifested  his  continued 
interest  in  the  Society  by  a  bequest  of  five  hundred  dollars  in  money,  a  fine  collection  of 
about  twelve  hundred  species  of  shells,  and  several  works  on  natural  history. 

In  Api-il  of  this  year  the  meetings  were  resumed  in  the  hall  of  the  Society,  and 
were  continued  weekly,  as  through  the  winter,  until  the  Annual  Meeting  in  May,  after 
which  they  were  held  twice  a  month. 

At  the  Annual  Meeting  held  May  6,  Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson,  who  presented  the  Reports 
of  the  Curators,  after  referring  to  the  additions  made  to  the  Cabinet  during  the  year, 
made  some  pleasant  remarks  relative  to  the  Society,  of  which  a  few  lines  may  be 
appropriately  quoted  :  "  We  have  now  shown  to  the  world  that  a  Society  of  Natural 
History  can  be  supported  in  Boston,  and  trust  that  the  time  is  not  far  distant  when 
the  public  generally  will  feel  that  the  establishment  of  such  a  Society  has  contril>uted 
not  a  little  to  the  general  weal.  Our  hall  is  already  crowded  with  visitors  at  such 
times  as  we  throw  open  the  doors  for  general  admission,  and  tliere  cannot  be  a  doubt 
respecting  the  beneficial  influence  which  is  exerted  by  this  institution  upon  the  minds 
of  its  young  visitors.  Many  a  student  in  science  will  look  back  Avith  gratitude  to  those 
objects  in  your  collection  that  first  attracted  his  attention  to  the  delightful  walks  of 
Natural  History." 

The  only  change  made  in  the  oilicers  of  the  Society  at  the  election  was  in  Mr. 
Marshall  S.  Scudder  being  chosen  Curator  of  Birds,  in  place  of  Dr.  Thomas  M.  Brewer, 
who  resigned. 

The  Curatorships  of  Comparative  Anatomy' and  Mammals  were  united  at  this  time, 
and  Dr.  Nathaniel  B.  Shurtleff,  who  had  held  that  of  the  former,  was  chosen  to  fdl 
that  of  the  combined  departments.  Dr.  Jeffries  Wyman,  who  had  been  Curator  of 
Mammals,  retired. 

Let  us  now  review  briefly  the  history  of  the  Society  during  the  first  ten  vears 
of  its  existence,  touching  upon  some  general  points  not  hitherto  presented.  It  will 
be  well  to  do  this  at  the  close  of  each  decade,  as  thus  periiaps  a  better  idea  may 
be  conveyed,  not  only  of  the  progress  of  the  institution  during  each  period  in  material 
prosperity,  but  t)f  the  change  in  thought  relative  to  its  proper  mission  as  an  educational 
institution,  and  the  means  necessary  for  the  accomplishuient  of  its  aims  and  purposes. 


32 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 


Some  statements  have  been  made  in  tlie  notices  of  the  Annual  Meetings,  of  tlie 
Treasurer's  reports  showing  excess  of  expenditure  over  receipts,  and  the  fact  of  an  accu- 
iiiuliiting  dt'l)t  which  threatened  seriously  the  welfare  of  the  Society,  notwithstanding  the 
annual  subsidy  of  ,$300  received  from  the  State,  and  which  was  granted  for  five  years. 
The  Treasurer's  Report  for  the  year  ending  May,  1840,  will  show  the  financial  condition 
of  the  Society,  at  the  end  of  the  ten  years  of  its  existence. 

Its  receipts  for  the  year  were  as  follows : 


From  tlic  previous  treasurer          .... 
Dividend  on  one  share  Granite  Bank  stock 
Annual  and  last  grant  from  the  State  . 
Annual  assessments  and  entrance  fees  . 
Borrowed  from  the  Courtis  Fund  in  order  to  pay  oflf 
the  Society 


indebtedness  of 


Payments  as  follows  :  — 

Notes  held  against  the  Society  and  interest 

Rent  and  taxes  duo  for  rooms  prior  to  the  jiast  year 

Amounts  due  incurred  jirior  to  year     . 


Whole  debt  paid 

Books  added  to  library         .         .         .         . 
Hent  and  taxes  of  Society's  apartments 
Printing  and  advertising       .         .         .         . 
Miscellaneous  exi)enses  of  cabinet 
Current  expenses  of  the  cabinet  . 
Entomological  cabinet .         .         .         .         . 
Care  and  attendance  on  the  room,  fuel,  &c. 
Expense  altering  shell-cabinet 
Commissions  collecting  fees,  <fec. . 


^150 

00 

18 

00 

3U0 

00 

504 

00 

800 

00 

$767 

17 

271 

96 

51 

25 

^■i:> 

72 

280 

51 

32 

77 

10 

00 

89 

42 

50 

00 

90 

47 

63 

00 

27 

05 

.?1,7- 


00 


1,090  38 


Cash  balance  in  treasury 


60S  94 

$1,759  32 
12  68 

?:1.T72  (Id 

This  account  has  been  given  in  full,  in  order  to  exhibit  more  clearly  the  economy  exer- 
cised in  managing  the  afTairs  of  the  Society,  necessary  if  the  Societj''  was  to  be  saved  from 
the  burden  of  a  debt  that  could  not  be  borne,  yet  destructive  afterwards  to  portions  of  the 
collection  of  very  great  value,  from  that  want  of  expenditure  rc(|uisite  to  the  proper  care 
and  preservation  of  perisha))le  objects. 

The  Society  had  struggled  with  debt  during  the  greater  part  of  its  existence,  and  was 
for  the  first  time  free  from  its  harrassing  claims.  This,  however,  was  only  brought  about 
by  borroAving  from  the  fimd  which  it  desired  to  hold  sacred  for  special  purposes;  that 
received  from  the  heirs  of  Ambrose  S.  Courtis,  $10,000.  The  claim  that  ''we  had  now 
shown  to  the  world  that  a  Society  of  Natural  History  could  be  supported  in  Boston," 
having  the  aims  and   objects  of  the   one   existing,  and  relying  on   voluntary  labor  and 


BOSTON   SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY. 


33 


voluntary  contributions  for  the  furtherance  of  its  objects,  is  not  sustained  by  the 
condition  of  affairs  at  this  time,  for  it  may  well  be  asked  how  long  the  Society  could  have 
gone  on  with  an  increasing  debt  consequent  upon  increasing  expenditure  not  to  be 
avoided,  if  the  bequest  of  Mr.  Courtis  had  not  relieved  it  from  embarrassment ;  especially 
when  it  will  be  seen  that  with  the  additional  means  thus  acquired,  the  best  portion  of  its 
rich  collections  went  to  ruin  for  want  of  that  necessary  care  which  only  paid  service  can 
be  relied  upon  to  render,  and  which  could  not  be  afforded. 

The  income  fi'om  the  Courtis  fund  was  a  great  help,  and  a  great  encouragement.  It 
enabled  the  Society  to  go  on  with  its  work  in  a  manner  that  secured  for  it  public  appro- 
bation, of  great  service  to  it  later  when  its  increasing  collections  called  for  more  room  for 
their  exhibition,  and  made  an  appeal  for  help  necessary.  It  was  not  enough  to  enable  it 
to  adequately  protect  its  perishable  treasui'es.  A  much  larger  income  was  indispensable, 
but  experience  had  not  yet  demonsti-ated  this  fully. 

Sometime  during  this  year,  though  no  record  is  made  of  it,  the  Council  agreed  to 
appropriate  the  income  of  the  Courtis  Fund  one-third  to  the  Library,  one-thii'd  to  publi- 
cations, and  one-third  to  the  Cabinet. 

It  may  be  interesting  to  the  members  of  the  present  time  to  know  something  of  the 
attendance  of  members  in  the  early  days  of  its  activity. 

The  following  talkie  will  show  the  highest  and  lowest  number  present,  together  with  the 
average  attendance  each  year. 


1 

t4 

IP 

i5S.§ 

m  B  a 
Oi  (V  a 

iA  Us) 

0.1 
be  el 

SI 

18.31    . 

.     .   22   .     . 

7    .     . 

.   18 

183-2   . 

.     .   26   .     . 

11    .     . 

.   17 

1833   . 

.     .20.     . 

8    .     . 

.    13 

1834   . 

.     .   4.5   .     . 

10    .     . 

.   26 

1835   . 

.     .   70   .     . 

6   .     . 

.   21 

1 

V  c  q 

sga 

>J  CCS 

g 

1836   . 

.     .   50   . 

.     .     6   .     . 

.   14 

1837   . 

.     .   40   . 

.     .     6   .     . 

.    12 

1838   . 

.     .   40   . 

.     .     8   .    . 

.    19 

1839   . 

.     .   35    . 

.     .     9   .     . 

.    14 

1840   . 

.     .   61    . 

.     .     8   .     . 

.    12 

An  increasing  interest  seems  to  have  been  felt  in  the  meetings  during  the  year  ending 
May,  1834,  as  the  average  attendance  is  shown  to  be  double  that  of  the  one  previous. 
This  was  due  in  part  at  least  to  the  removal  of  the  Cabinet  to  the  new  hall  in  Tremont 
Street,  over  the  Savings  Bank,  where  subsequently  the  meetings  were  mostly  held.  The 
average  afterwards  fell  off  and  Ijecame  small  in  the  years  ending  in  May,  1836  and  1837, 
when  it  again  increased  considerably,  as  during  the  year  ending  May,  1838,  there  was  an 
attendance  of  over  50  per  cent,  more  than  during  the  two  previous  years.  This  is 
likely  to  have  Ijcen  the  temporary  effect  of  ladies  being  permitted  to  accompany  the 
members.  There  is  no  record  of  this  permission  being  withdrawn,  and  the  probability 
is  that  too  few  continued  to  feel  such  interest  as  to  lead  to  the  custom  of  their  attend- 
ance becoming  permanent.  In  the  3-ears  following  nothing  is  said  of  their  presence  and 
the  average  number  of  members  at  the  meetings  again  fell  off. 

Respecting  the  increase  of  the  Cabinet  up  to  this  period  it  may  be  said  that  there  were 
but  few  meetings  held  when  specimens  were  not  brouglit  forward  and  presented.  Some- 
times these  donations  were  of  great  value,  and  deserve  special  mention. 


34  HISTORICAL  SKETCH   OF   THE 

At  one  meeting,  Pnrk  Bcnjaiiiin  presented  ninety-two  beautifully  preserved  bird-skins 
and  a  box  of  insects,  from  Demerara.  Joseph  Coolidge,  forty-live  bird-skins,  with  corals 
and  other  objects  from  BomVjay.  John  James  Dixwell,  one  hundred  and  thiity-three 
specimens  of  bird-skins,  in  perfect  order,  with  many  fishes,  from  the  vicinity  of  Calcutta. 
J.  N.  Reynolds,  a  magnificent  collection  of  between  four  and  live  hundred  bird-skins ; 
a  large  collection  of  botanical  specimens ;  boxes  of  minerals,  organic  remains,  and  of 
insects ;  a  large  and  valuable  collection  of  shells ;  skulls,  fruits,  and  fishes,  all  from 
South  America,  the  Islands  of  the  Pacific,  and  the  South  Shetland  Islands.  Dr.  James 
Jackson,  a  valuable  Herbarium.  Mr.  J.  S.  Copley  Greene,  also,  a  valuable  Herbarium. 
Dr.  F.  W.  Cragin,  of  Surinam,  magnificent  donations  of  zoological  and  Ijotaiiical  speci- 
mens. 

Dr.  D.  Humphreys  Storer  was  continually  bringing  forward  specimens  for  the 
caliinet.  At  one  time  he  presented  seventy  specimens  all  carefully  put  up  by  him, 
in  glass  Ijottles  and  labelled.  To  his  generosity  mainly  was  due  the  fact,  that  out 
of  one  hundred  and  twenty  species  of  Massachusetts  fishes  then  known,  ninety  were  in  the 
collection,  and  every  described  reptile  of  the  State,  with  one  exception.  Alas,  that 
through  the  want  of  proper  care  in  after  years,  nearly  all  these  should  have  been 
destroyed  !     Of  this  more  will  be   said  hereafter. 

It  would  require  pages  to  specify  all  the  donors  who  enriched  the  cabinet  b\-  their 
contril)utions;  suffice  it,  therefore,  to  mention  the  names  of  some  who  were  particular 
benefactors  in  this  way,  viz..  Doctors  Augustus  A.  Gould.  Amos  Binney,  Jr.,  Winslow 
Lewis,  John  Flint,  B.  D.  Greene,  C.  T.  Jackson,  J.  V.  C.  Smith ,  G.  C.  Shattuck;  Kev.  F. 
W.  P.  Greenwood  ;  Messrs.  Joseph  P.  Couthouy,  "William  B.  Fowle,  Estes  Howe,  Edward 
Tuckerman,  Jr.,  Simon  E.  Greene;  Commodore  Downes,  of  tlie  United  States  Navy;  Messrs. 
George  W.  Pratt,  George  James  Sprague,  J.  W.  Mighels,  H.  T.  Parker,  and  C.  J.  F. 
Biune3^ 

It  is  impossible  to  state  the  number  of  specimens  in  all  the  departments  of  the 
cabinet.  There  were  of  fishes  three  hundred  and  forty-four  species,  of  which  there 
were,  as  has  before  been  stated,  ninety  of  Massachusetts  waters  alone,  out  of  one  hundred 
and  twenty  known.  Of  birds,  there  were  of  mounted  specimens  about  seventy-five,  and  oJ 
bird-skins  not  mounted,  about  four  hundred.  There  had  been  a  much  larger  number  ol 
the  latter,  but  the  collection  had  suffered  from  the  attacks  of  insects. 

Of  lleptiles  no  statement  can  be  made  excepting  that  already  given,  that  the  collection 
contained  every  known  Massachusetts  species  excepting  one,  and  that  had  only  once 
been  found  Avithin  our  limits.  In  the  Maz;ological  department  there  were  23  specimens. 
In  that  of  Comparative  Anatomy  many,  but  the  number  is  not  given. 

Of  Mollusks  there  were  over  3000  species  in  the  collection,  but  wliether  these 
embraced  the  private  collection  of  Dr.  Amos  Binney,  is  not  certain.  At  this  time  he  had 
already  proffered  to  give  the  whole  of  his  to  the  Society,  provided  other  gentlemen 
having  collections  would  allow  a  connnittee  to  select  from  those  species  not  possessed  by 
him  or  the  Society.  This  was  complied  with  afterwards,  so  that  all  in  the  cabinet  at  the 
time  soon  became  the  property  of  the  Society,  with  a  great  nmuber  in  addition. 


BOSTON   SOCIETY   OF  NATURAL   HISTORY.  35 

The  Entomological  (li'partnu'iit  was  very  rich,  eml tracing  as  it  did  tlio  great  collection 
purchased  of  Hentz,  hut  the  wliole  nuniher  of  species  and  specimens  cannot  he  stated. 

Of  the  llerharium  there  is  no  mention  of  the  magnitude  at  this  time,  hut  it  contained 
the  \'aluahle  donations  of  plants  made  l)y  Dr.  Jas.  Jackson  and  hy  J.  S.  Copley  Greene. 

Already  the  collections  of  the  Society  were  heyond  the  ahility  of  the  curators  to  find 
proper  s])ace  for  in  the  exhilntion  cases,  and  it  was  necessary  to  put  away  many  in  drawers 
out  of  view. 

The  Lihrary  as  well  as  the  (Jahinet  had  constantly  received  donations  during  the  ten 
years  past,  hut  as  yet  was  very  deficient  in  works  necessary  for  students  in  every 
department.  It  consisted  at  this  time  of  660  volumes,  besides  numerous  pamphlets. 
But  little  money  had  been  ex[)ended  il)r  l)ooks.  as  the  financial  condition  of  the  Society 
had  not  warranted  it.  The  largest  donors  to  this  department  were  Judge  Davis,  who  in 
lSo7  presented  a  great  number  of  valuable  works;  and  Col.  Thomas  11.  Perkins,  who  in 
the  last  year  of  the  decade  presented  a  magniiicent  copy  of  Audubon's  work  on  the 
lairds  of  America.  Other  donors  to  the  library  of  valuable  books  were  Drs.  D.  H.  Storer, 
John  Ware,  Amos  Binney,  Jr.,  Joseph  W.  McKean.  B.  D.  Greene,  and  Messrs.  E.  Tucker- 
man,  Jr.,  Edward  Warren,  Henr}'.  Codman,  Isaac  McLellan,  John  Lowell,  Jr.,  and  Joseph 
Coolidge. 

Addresses  were  delivered  before  the  Society  at  its  amuial  meetings,  first  in  18oo,  and 
afterwards  in  1837,  1838,  18311,  and  181(),  as  already  mentioned.  Several  of  these  were 
published. 

At  this  time  the  first  two  volumes  of  the  Journal  of  the  Society  and  the  contents  of  a 
large  portion  of  the  third  had  been  pulilished.  All  the  papers  were  communications  tliat 
had  been  made  at  meetings  of  the  Society,  and  were  of  such  character  as  to  establish  for 
it  a  high  scientific  reputation,  both  at  home  and  aliroad.  It  served  greatly  towards 
obtaining  the  works  of  foreign  societies  throudi  exchanne. 

Communications  of  important  character  were  made  at  almost  all  the  meetings,  and  often 
interesting  discussions  followed  concerning  the  matter  presented  in  them.  The  members 
who  took  the  most  conspicuous  part  in  the  proceedings  during  the  first  five  years,  were 
Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson,  Dr.  D.  H.  Storer,  Dr.  A.  A.  Gould,  Mr.  George  B.  Emerson,  Mr.  C.  C. 
Emerson,  Mr.  Epes  S.  Dixwell,  Dr.  J.  V.  C.  Smith,  Dr.  J.  B.  S.  Jackson.  Dr.  Walter  Chan-- 
ning.  and  Rev.  F.  W.  P.  Greenwood,  though  many  others  participated.  During  the  later  five 
years  may  be  mentioned  as  the  most  frequent  contributors  to  the  interest  of  the  meetings 
by  their  t-ommunicatious,  Drs.  C.  T.  Jackson.  Augustus  A.  (Jould,  D.  Humphreys  Storer, 
Thomas  M.  Brewer,  Martin  Gay,  Thaddeus  W.  Harris,  Amos  Binney,  llev.  F.  W.  P.  Green- 
wood, Professors  Jeffries  Wymau  and  C.  B.  Adams,  and  Messrs.  J.  E.  Teschemacher, 
Edward  Tuckerman,  Jr.,  George  B.  Emerson  and  P]pes  S.  Dixwell. 

The  Council  of  tbe  Society,  consisting  umU-r  tbe  Consiitulion  of  the  oilicers  elected  by 
it,  and  whose  duty  it  was  to  control  the  expenditure  of  (be  money,  select  lecturers  and 
decide  upon  the  subjects  to  be  treatt'd  upon  by  them  ;  designate  what  l)ooks  should  be 
purchased  for  the  lilirary  ;  nominate  Honorary  and  Corres])ouiling  Memlters  ;  attend  to  the 
publication  of  the  Journal;  and  to  transact  any  other  business  not  inconsistent  with  the 
Constitution  and  By-laws;  met  in  the  early  days  only  as  specially  called  together,  but 
subsequently,  after  the  regular  meetings  of  the  Society. 


36  HISTORICAL   SKETCH   OF   THE 

For  the  furtherance  of  its  objects.  Committees  were  annually  chosen  on  the  Finances, 
on  Lectures,  on  Publications,  and  on  Honorary  and  Corresponding  Members.  Those  who 
were  active  on  these  Committees  previous  to  this  period  were  Drs.  Harris,  Binney,  Gould, 
C.  T.  Jackson,  Lewis,  Storer,the  Rev.  Mr.  Greenwood,  and  Messrs.  Emerson,  Dillaway, 
J.  J.  Dixwell,  Epes  S.  Dixwell,  and  8.  E.  Greene. 

Decade  H.     May,  ]840-Mat,  1850. 

We  now  enter  upon  the  second  decade  of  the  existence  of  the  Society,  with  the  grati- 
fying fact  of  its  freedom  from  debt,  and  its  possession  of  a  funded  property  sufficient  at 
least  with  due  economy  to  sustain  its  life  and  enable  it  to  do  much  in  furtherance  of  its 
objects  ;  but  not  enough  to  furnish  the  means  necessary  for  the  proper  care  and  preserva- 
tion of  its  increasing  collections,  as  will  be  seen  hereafter.  At  the  first  meeting  after  the 
annual  one,  there  came  to  hand  a  large  donation  of  verj'  valuable  specimens  from  Dr. 
Thomas  S.  Savage,  a  missionary  at  Cape  Palmas,  West  Africa,  mostly  of  just  the  character 
which  afterwards  suffered  greatly  from  lack  of  care,  viz.,  insects  and  reptiles. 

In  June  of  this  year,  an  official  conununication  was  received  from  the  heirs  of  Mr. 
Simon  E.  Greene,  announcing  the  bequest  before  mentioned,  of  five  hundred  dollars,  and 
of  some  works  on  natural  history. 

In  November,  the  lease  of  the  hall  occupied  Ijy  the  Society  was  renewed  for  three  years, 
and  also  an  arrangement  similar  to  that  of  the  previous  year  was  made  with  the  Librarian, 
by  Avhich  tlie  meetings  through  the  winter  were  held  at  his  room  in  Tremont  Row,  in  the 
evenings,  once  a  week  until  Dec.  oOth,  and  twice  a  month  afterwards. 

The  Society  had  again  an  opportunity  of  making  a  part  of  its  Cabinet  serviceal^le  to 
the  public  otherwise  than  l)y  exhil)ition  within  its  own  halls,  by  granting  permission  to 
Prof.  Wyman  to  use  specimens  from  it,  in  illustrating  his  course  of  lectures  before  the 
Lowell  Institute  on  Comparative  Anatomy,  given  this  season. 

1841.  Early  this  year,  the  usual  invitation  was  extended  to  the  Legislature  to  visit  the 
Museum.  On  such  occasions  the  Curators  made  it  their  business  to  be  present,  in  order 
that  such  visits  might  be  the  more  agreeable  and  instructive. 

An  attempt  to  render  the  meetings  more  interesting  was  made  at  this  time  by  forming 
committees  on  the  several  departments  of  natural  history,  who  should  be  held  responsible 
for  the  presentation  of  communications. 

As  showing  a  strong  feeling  against  the  absorjjtion  of  the  Courtis  Fund  in  the  expendi- 
tures of  the  Society,  action  taken  in  February  of  this  year  is  noticed.  It  will  be  remem- 
bered that  in  order  to  liquidate  outstanding  debts  before  the  last  annual  meeting,  a  sum  of 
eight  hundred  dollars  had  been  borrowed  from  this  fund,  and  four  notes  of  two  hundred 
dollars  each,  on  interest,  had  been  given  by  the  Treasurer  to  the  Trustees  of  that  fund. 

The  Society  now  voted  to  apply  the  five  hundred  dollars,  received  b}^  the  bequest  of 
Mr.  Simon  E.  Greene,  and  the  proceeds  of  a  sale  to  be  made  of  the  one  share  yet  held  of 
the  Granite  Bank  stock,  to  pay  the  first  three  notes  ;  and  that  the  fourth  note  should  be 
paid  out  of  any  sui-plus  in  the  hands  of  the  Treasurer,  during  the  current  year. 

For  the  first  time  in  the  history  of  the  Society,  we  find  the  Council  appropriating  any 
amount  of  money  for  the  use  of  the  several  departments  of  the  Museum.  The  income 
from  the  Courtis  Fund  now  enabled   the   Curators   to   expend   something,   though  little, 


BOSTON   SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL   HISTORY.  37 


towards  the  purchase  and  preservation  of  spechnens.  We  accordingly  learn  that 
were  appropriated  for  the  department  of  Ornithology,  $30  for  that  of  Comparative  Anat- 
omy, and  $25  for  that  of  Botany.  Moderate  sums  have  ever  since  been  asked  for  by  the 
Curators,  as  recpiired  in  the  several  departments,  and  these  have  been  granted  when  the 
state  of  the  finances  would  justify  the  exj)enditure. 

It  will  be  remembered  that  Dr.  Amos  Binney,  Jr.,  had  proffered  his  whole  collection  of 
shells  to  the  society,  upon  the  condition  that  other  gentlemen  possessing  cabinets  should 
open  them  to  a  committee,  who  should  be  allowed  to  select  from  them  such  species  as 
would  serve  towards  completing  the  collection  of  the  Society.  At  the  annual 
meeting  in  May  of  this  year,  the  Curator  of  the  Conchological  department  reported 
that  from  the  caJjinets  of  Messrs.  Dixwcll,  Greenwood,  Emerson,  Storer,  Emmons  and 
Warren,  abont  six  hundred  species  had  Ijeen  selected,  most  of  which  were  new  to  the 
collection.  He  also  reported  that  by  the  bequest  of  the  late  Simon  E.  Greene,  his  entire 
collection  of  about  1200  species  had  come  into  the  Society's  possession.  The  Curator, 
after  referring  to  the  accession  of  Dr.  Binney's  collection  and  that  of  Mr.  Simon  E. 
Greene,  with  the  additions  made  from  compliance  with  the  conditions  of  Dr.  Binney's 
gift,  and  by  the  donations  received  from  various  other  parties,  spoke  of  the  cabinet  of 
shells  as  standing  foremost  of  all  the  pulilic  collections  of  the  New  World.  Bj^  the 
reports  of  the  other  Curators  for  the  year,  it  appeared  that  the  donations  to  their  depart- 
ments had  not  been  very  important,  except  to  that  of  Entomology.  The  additions  to  the 
Library  were  numerous  and  valuable,  some  being  received  from  the  bequest  of  Mr.  Simon 
E.  Greene  and  others  from  purchase  by  means  of  the  money  received  from  the  Courtis 
fund. 

The  Treasurer  reported  the  entire  receipts  for  the  year  |1S37.41  ;  the  entire  expendi- 
tm-es  $1715.32  ;  leaving  a,  cash  balance  of  $122.09  applicable  to  the  purposes  for  which 
the  income  of  the  Courtis  Fund  had  been  specially  appropriated,  viz.,  the  increase  of  the 
cabinet,  tlie  increase  of  the  library  and  the  publication  of  the  Society's  Journal. 

After  the  reading  of  the  several  reports,  the  President  congratulated  the  Society  on  the 
evidence  furnished  by  them  of  its  prosperous  condition.  lie  remarked  that  "  the  constant 
circulation  of  the  volumes  proves  the  usefulness  of  the  library  and  the  increasing  taste  for 
stud}^  and  investigation  on  those  subjects  for  the  pursuit  of  which  we  are  associated.  The 
state  of  the  treasury  shows  the  gratifying  fact  that  the  Society  is  out  of  deljt  and  with  a 
considerable  income  annually  applicable  to  its  purposes.  During  the  past  year  there  have 
been  twenty-five  meetings,  at  which  seventy-five  reports,  written  and  oral,  were  nrade, 
including  the  whole  range  of  subjects  embi'aced  by  the  Society.  Besides  these,  twelve 
other  written  communications  of  interest,  with  letters  I'cceived,  have  occupied  the  time  of 
the  meetings,  and  aftbrded  us  the  gratification  of  reflecting  that  wc  have  not  been  quite 
idle  in  the  work  we  have  undertaken  to  do." 

The  following  changes  took  place  among  the  olficers  of  the  Society  —  Rev.  Dr.  Green- 
wood having  declined  to  serve  longer  on  account  of  ill  liealtli.  Dr.  Amos  Binney,  Jr.,  was 
elected  First  Vice-President  in  his  place,  aud  Dr.  Charles  T.  Jackson  succeeded  Dr. 
Binney  as  Second  Vice-President ;  Dr.  Frederick  A.  Eddy  was  chosen  Recording  Secre- 
tary ;  Dr.  A.  A.  Gould,  Curator  of  Conchology ;  Thomas  Bulfinch,  Curator  of  Mineralogy 
and  Geology  (State  Collection) ;  S.  L.  Abbot,  Jr.,  Curator  ol"  Ornithologj^,  and  Thomas 
T.  Bouve,  Cabinet  Keeper. 


38  HISTORICAL  SKETCH   OF  THE 

The  Society  then  listened  to  an  interesting  and  instructive  address  from  Mr.  Tesche- 
macher  upon  the  progress  of  Natural  Science.     This  was  subsequently  puhlisherl. 

Nothing  of  unusual  interest  occurred  during  the  summer  and  fall  months.  When  the 
season  became  too  cold  for  meetings  in  the  hall,  the  members  met  by  invitation  at  the 
President's  house  in  the  evening,  until  February;  after  wliich  they  assembled  ot  the  room 
of  the  Lil)rarian,  7^  Tremont  Eow,  until  spring. 

1842.  In  April  of  this  year  a  committee  was  chosen  to  make  arrangements  for  the 
reception  of  the  Association  of  American  Geologists  and  Naturalists  in  the  hall  of  the 
Society,  where  their  approaching  meetings  were  to  be  held  hy  invitation  of  tlie  Society. 
These  meetings,  the  first  in  Boston,  took  place  during  the  week  commencing  April  25th 
and  ending  on  Saturday  the  .30th.  The  most  eminent  scientific  men  of  the  country  were 
present,  including  Profs.  William  B.  and  Henry  D.  Rogers,  Dr.  Sanuiel  G.  Morton,  Prof 
Hitchcock,  Prof  Benjamin  Silliman,  Dr.  James  D.  Dana  and  Prof  Locke.  Mr.  Lyell  the 
distinguished  geologist,  afterwards  Sir  Charles  Lyell,  was  also  present.  The  meetings  were 
of  great  scientific  interest  and  importance,  and  several  of  the  members,  also  members  of 
the  Association,  took  an  active  part  in  the  proceedings  and  discussions,  among  others  Dr. 
C.  T.  Jackson  and  Capt.  Joseph  P.  Couthouy. 

The  Association  before  adjourning  passed  a  vote  of  thanks  to  the  Boston  Society  of 
Natural  History  for  tlie  use  of  tlie  hall,  and  for  the  kind  attention  shown  Ijy  its  individual 
members. 

Previous  to  and  in  anticipation  of  the  meeting  of  the  Association,  the  Society  had  voted 
to  hold  a  special  meeting  on  the  27th  of  the  month,  in  order  to  invite  the  members  of 
that  body  to  hear  the  Annual  Address  which  was  to  be  delivered  hy  one  of  tlieir  number. 
Dr.  Samuel  G.  Morton,  the  celebrated  ethnologist.  This  meetiug  so  held,  was  largely 
attended  by  the  members  of  the  Society  and  by  those  of  the  Association.  The  President 
first  gave  a  brief  history  of  the  doings  of  the  Society  the  past  year.  This  was  followed 
by  tlie  address,  which  was  upon  tlie  distinctive  characteristics  of  the  aboriginal  race  of 
America,  and  was  extremely  interesting  and  instructive.  It  was  published  l^y  the  Society 
in  its  Journal,  Vol.  IV,  p.  190,  and  in  pamphlet,  8vo.,  1842. 

The  yearly  reports  of  the  Curators  were  not  always  ef  such  character  as  to  give  partic- 
ular information  concerning  the  extent  of  the  collections,  sometimes  being  limited  to  a 
statement  of  donations  received,  with  remarks  upon  condition,  etc.  When  jn-esented  in 
detail,  it  seems  well  to  embody  their  substance  here,  in  order  that  comparisons  may  be 
made  hereafter  if  desirable.  Some  of  the  reports  made  at  the  annual  meeting  in  May, 
1812,  are  therefore  dwelt  upon  at  length.     They  were  all  quite  encouraging. 

In  tlie  Iclith3'ological  department  the  wliole  numlier  of  sjjecies  was  given  as  450,  of 
which  390  were  from  the  Western  Hemisphere,  and  60  from  the  Eastern.  Gf  the  Massa- 
chusetts species  alone,  there  were  now  108,  an  increase  of  7  during  the  year. 

Gf  the  mineral  Cabinet  it  was  stated  ljy  tlie  Curator  that  he  had  rearranged  the  collec- 
tion, and  that  there  were  610  specimens  on  the  shelves,  which  probably  comprised  all 
worthy  of  exhibition. 

The  Curator  of  Entomology  reported  the  enriching  of  this  department  by  the  addition 
of  eighty  species  of  African  beetles  presented  by  Kev.  Dr.  Savage. 

The  Curator  of  Conchology  reported  the  continued  prosperity  of  the  department  under 
his  charge.     During  no  former  year  had  a  greater  amount  of  labor  been  bestowed  upon 


noSTONT   SOCIETY   OF  NATURAL   TTTSI'ORY.  39 

it,  or  inoiv  iinportMiit  accessions  luadc.  Six  Inniilrcd  and  fifty  species  had  been  added  and 
entered  in  the  catalogue,  and  neaily  a  IJjousand  names  had  been  ascertained,  and  the 
labels  applied.  There  were  now  in  all  oUOO  species,  not  inclnding  duplicates,  all  ol"  which 
Iiad  come  into  the  juissession  of  tlie  Society  by  donation.  01'  the  whole  number,  1722 
species  had  been  contributed  b_y  Dr.  IJiiuiey,  1197  by  Captain  Joseph  P.  Couthony,  104 
by  roniiHodore  Downes  of  tlie  Navy,  '•'•")  by  Mr.  Dixwell,  54  l)y  Mr.  George  B.  Emerson, 
<S5  by  Mr.  T.  J.  Wiiittemore,  4."  \>y  Mr.  George  P.rown,  44  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Greenwood,  29 
b}'  Mr.  John  Warren,  ■'>'■>  by  Mr.  Stephen  Ennnons,  41  by  Dr.  Storer,  155  by  Di'.  Gould. 
and  many  had  come  from  the  bequest  of  Simon  E.  Greene.  The  want  of  room  and  tiie 
want  of  books  on  the  subject  were  com])lained  of,  the  meml)ers  being  almost  Avholly 
dependent  upon  the  splendid  library  of  Dr.  Dinney  for  information.  This,  however,  was 
liberally  open  to  the  use  of  all  who  sougiit  knowledge. 

The  Curator  of  the  State  Collection  of  Geology  reported  the  addition  to  it  of  1100 
specimens  collected  Ijy  Professor  Hitchcock  on  his  resurvey  of  the  State,  making,  witli  the 
previous  collection,  2()4r),  besides  the  scries  of  soils  nvnnbering  227. 

The  C\n'ator  of  Botany  reported  the  addition  of  1 194  species,  mostly  foreign,  to  the 
department  under  his  cluirge.     No  account  of  the  whole  collection  was  given. 

The  Curator  of  Ornithology  reported  the  whole  number  of  birds  in  the  collection  as 
540,  very  few  being  duplicates;  120  of  these  were  mounted,  of  which  ItKi.  including  75 
species,  were  of  Massachusetts.  PVjity-three  specimens  were  received  during  the  year,  the 
donors  being  Capt.  Josei)h  P.  Conthouy,  Judge  Amos  of  Bengal,  Messrs.  Tescheniacher, 
H.  Bryant,  Lewis  Ashnuni.  Charles  Mayo,  and  Dr.  J.  P.  Kirtland. 

The  Curator  of  Comparative  Anatomy  reported  some  additions  to  his  department,  but 
stated  that  the  large  skeletons  were  in  Ijad  condition  from  exposure  to  dust. 

The  Liljrarian  rejxirted  (he  condition  of  tlie  library  as  pi'osperous ;  110  volumes, 
including  o<S  pamphlets,  lia\'ing  l)een  added  during  the  year,  presented  by  various  indi- 
viduals. 

The  Treasure)-  rt'ported  the  whole  receipts  during  the  year,  incduding  balance  at  com- 
mencement, |1;]50.29;   whole  amount   expended.  .$1213.30,  leaving  a  balance  of  $136.93. 

The  changes  among  the  ollieers  this  year  were,  that  Dr.  M;irtin  Gay  was  chosen  Curator 
of  Minerals,  Mr.  T.  '1\  Bouve  of  Geology.  Mr.  'I\  BuUineh,  Becording  Secretary,  and  Dr. 
Henry  Bryant,  Cabinet  Keeper. 

In  May  of  this  yeai-  the  Diploma  uow  in  use  by  tli(^  Society  was  lirst  adopted. 

In  June,  it  is  recorded  that  Dr.  .bdl'ries  Wynian  was  made  a  delegate  to  represent  the 
Society  at  a  meeting  of  the  British  Association,  .soon  to  be  held  at  Manchester,  England. 

In  September,  there  a])])ears  to  have  been  some  apprehension  as  to  the  sal'ety  of  por- 
tions of  the  collection,  as  Dr.  Wyman  was  requested  to  devote  such  of  his  leisure  as  he 
could  couiiuand  for  the  eusuiuL;-  vear,  to  its  i)reservation  and  increase,  and  ^200  were 
appropriated  Ibi'  the  piu'pose. 

In  Decend)er.  the  Couucul  of  (he  So<'iety  having  learned  "that  a  proposal  had  been 
made  to  take  from  their  authors  the  notes,  journals,  and  observations  made  by  some  of 
the  corps  of  the  late  Kxploring  Expedition,  and  to  place  them  in  the  hands  of  otliers  for 
publication."  and  recognizing  the  injustice  of  such  proceeding  as  well  as  the  manv  other 
objections  thereto,  (houg]i(  fit   to  remonstrate   against  it,  which  they  emphatically  did,  hy 


40  HISTORICAL   SKETCH    OF  THE 

past>ing  votes  expressive  of  their  views  on  the  subject,  copies  of  which  were  sent  to  tlie 
Hon.  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  and  to  Hon.  Eobert  C.  Winthrop,  the  representative  of  this 
district  in  Congress. 

1843.  In  the  early  part  of  this  year  ten  members  of  tlie  Society  subscribed  to  Audu- 
bon's work  on  the  Quadrupeds  of  the  United  States  for  presentation  to  the  Society.  They 
were  George  B.  Emerson,  N.  I.  Bowditch,  Amos  Binney,  Ji-.,  Geox'ge  C.  Sliattuck,  Jr., 
J.  Amory  Lowell,  George  Parkman,  William  Sturgis,  F.  C.  Gray,  John  James  Dixwell 
and  Amos  A.  Lawrence. 

On  May  3d,  in  the  al)sence  of  many  members  who  wei'e  attending  the  meeting  of  the 
Association  of  Geologists  and  Naturalists  at  Albany,  it  was  voted  to  postpone  the  business 
of  this  meeting,  the  annual  one,  to  the  17th  inst.  On  tliat  date,  therefore,  it  was  trans- 
acted. The  Curators'  reports  were  generally  ver_y  gratifying.  Dr.  Cragin  of  Siu'inam 
had  again  enriched  the  cabinet  by  donations  to  the  several  departments  of  Comparative 
Anatomy,  Herpetology,  Ornithology,  and  Ichthyology,  and  as  usual  in  former  years  fre- 
quent contributions  to  them  all  had  been  made  by  the  members. 

The  Curator  of  Ornithology  mentioned  that  the  collection  had  increased  during  the 
year  to  753  specimens  mounted  and  innnounted,  of  which  172,  comprising  131  species, 
were  natives  of  Massachusetts. 

The  Curator  of  the  department  of  Geology  as  disconnected  with  that  of  Mineralogy, 
made  his  first  report.  The  whole  collection  was  stated  to  consist  of  about  1000  specimens, 
400  of  which  had  been  received  by  donations  during  the  year,  200  of  these  being  Silurian, 
50  Carboniferous,  25  New  Red  Sandstone,  nearly  500  Tertiary  and  50  of  unstratified  rocks, 
lavas,  etc.  The  remainder  were  undetermined.  It  should  be  borne  in  mind  that  this 
department  of  Geology  embraced  the  fossils  of  the  several  formations  at  this  time,  that  of 
Palaeontology  not  l)eing  made  a  separate  one  until  years  later. 

The  Librarian  stated  the  increase  of  books  during  the  year  to  have  been  105  volumes 
and  55  pamphlets,  m.iking  the  whole  collection  1071  volumes  and  250  pamphlets,  inde- 
pendent of  the  publications  of  the  Society. 

The  Treasurer  reported  expenditures  exceeding  receipts  in  the  general  account  showing 
a  deficit  of  $258.45,  but  of  the  Courtis  Fund  income  he  reported  excess  of  receipts  over 
expenditures  ,f  303.53. 

The  annual  address  was  delivered  by  Dr.  JefiVies  Wyman,  and  was  a  learned  and  inter- 
esting discoiu'se  on  the  progress  of  science  during  the  past  year. 

Mr.  George  B.  Emerson,  who  had  served  the  Society  with  great  fidelity  as  President  for 
six  years,  having  declined  a  re-election,  Dr.  Amos  Binney  was  unanimously  elected  in 
his  place.  The  Corresponding  Secretary  who  had  likewise  held  this  ofl&ce  for  six  years, 
also  resigned,  and  Dr.  A.  A.  Gould  was  elected  to  fill  the  vacancy.  Dr.  Charles  T.  Jackson 
was  chosen  First  Vice-President,  and  Dr.  D.  Humphreys  Storer,  Second  Vice-President. 
Other  changes  were  in  Jeffries  Wyman  being  elected  Curator  of  Keptiles  and  Pishes,  and 
A.  E.  Belknap,  Curator  of  Conchology. 

On  the  2d  day  of  August  of  this  year,  there  passed  from  earth  one  of  the  best  of 
men ;  one  whom  all  who  knew,  loved  and  revered.  This  man  was  the  Rev.  F.  W.  P. 
Greenwood.  It  is  a  joy  to  dwell  on  such  a  character,  and  it  was  a  privilege  of  the  early 
members  of  the  Society  to  have  associated  with  them   one  so   much  loved  and  respected, 


BOSTON   SOCIETY   OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  41 

and  whose  tastes  led  to  his  zealous  cooperation  with  them  in  advancing  its  interests  until 
health  and  strength  no  longer  permitted  active  exertion. 

Dr.  Greenwood  was  not  one  of  the  original  members  of  the  Society,  but  he  was  early 
connected  with  it  and  ever  afterwards  participated  largely  in  its  work.  He  became 
second  Vice  President  in  1834  and  first  Vice  President  in  183G,  holding  the  latter  position 
until  May  1841,  when  by  reason  of  failing  health  he  resigned.  As  Vice  President  he  was 
frequently  called  upon  to  preside  at  the  meetings  of  the  Society,  and  he  often  liy  commu- 
nications or  otherwise,  took  part  in  the  proceedings.  In  1833  he  delivered  an  address  be- 
fore it  upon  the  opening  of  its  new  hall  in  Tremont  street.  This  was  published  in  the 
Journal  of  the  Society  and  formed  its  first  article.  This  address  has  been  before  referred 
to ;  but  some  remarks  in  it  bearing  upon  the  importance  of  a  collection  of  local  species 
merit  attention.  He  said :  "It  should  be  our  object  to  attend  particularly  to  the  formation 
or  completion  of  such  collections  as  may  give  a  good  idea  of  the  natural  features  of  our 
own  country  and  of  our  own  section  of  our  country.  If  I  Avere  traveling  in  Spain  or  Per- 
sia, I  should  desire  especially  to  examine  some  depository  of  the  natural  productions  of 
Spain  or  Persia.  If  I  were  traveling  in  our  western  states  I  should  prefer  seeing  a  mu- 
seum well  stocked  with  their  own  curiosities  to  one  well  stocked  with  all  curiosities  but 
their  own.  And  so,  too,  I  presume  a  traveler  in  New  England  will  first  of  all  desire  to 
see  those  objects  which  illustrate  the  natural  history  of  New  England.  For  our  own  in- 
struction and  gratification,  indeed,  and  for  the  advancement  of  natural  science  amongst 
us,  we  shall  gladly  collect  from  every  quarter  and  every  coast  and  corner  of  the  globe  ; 
from  every  sea  and  lake  and  river,  whatever  can  be  furnished  for  our  purposes ;  and  yet, 
for  our  sakes  too,  we  shall  least  of  all  choose  to  be  ignorant  of  the  beings  and  things  with 
which  Providence  has  surrounded  our  own  dwellings,  of  the  plants  which  spring  from  our 
native  soil,  the  birds  which  fly  in  our  own  heavens,  and  whatsoever  passeth  through  the 
paths  of  our  own  seas." 

We  pass  on  to  the  Annual  meeting  of  1844,  which  was  held  on  the  1st  of  May.  The 
President  in  presenting  the  reports  of  the  Curators  for  the  year  took  occasion  to  make 
some  remarks  upon  the  early  history,  progress  and  present  condition  of  the  Society,  and 
then  forcibly  stating  the  pressing  want  of  larger  accommodations  for  the  collections  and 
for  the  librar}',  appealed  to  the  public  for  aid  in  supplying  them. 

The  Reports  then  given,  though  generally  satisfactory  as  to  the  condition  of  the  speci- 
mens in  the  several  departments,  presented  exceptions  which  were  Init  too  suggestive  of 
what  would  inevitably  follow  under  the  S3stem  of  reliance  wholly  upon  voluntarj^  care 
and  labor. 

The  Curator  of  Entomology  reported  that  the  collection  had  been  inl'ested  to  an  alarm- 
ing extent  by  Anthreni,  and  great  injury  done  ;  that  in  order  to  better  pi'eserve  the  speci- 
mens he  liad  been  obliged  to  take  a  portion  of  them  into  his  own  keeping  away  from  the 
Hall,  and  resort  to  active  measures  to  destroy  the  pest  that  was  making  sucli  ravages. 
Nothing,  he  said,  but  the  utmost  vigilance  on  his  part  enabled  him  to  keep  the  collection 
from  destruction,  and  he  urged  that  provision  should  be  made  for  such  glazed  cases  as 
•  would  effectually  exclude  the  enemy. 

The  Curator  of  Comparative  Anatomy  reported  that  by  subjecting  the  specimens  under 
his  care  to  over  180"  of  heat  in  the  steam  oven  of  the  Society,  they  had  been  freed  from 
insects,  and  by  the  free  use  of  poisonous  washes  future  ravages  prevented. 


42  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 

The  Curatoi'  of  Ornitliology  likewise  reported  that  specimens  in  his  department  had 
been  attacked,  but  that  by  baking  those  infected,  the  collection  was  now  in  good  condition. 

Thus  it  will  be  perceived  that  in  three  of  the  important  departments  of  the  Museum 
the  collections  had  been  seriously  attacked  and  much  injury  done.  Up  to  this  period  no 
harm  had  come  to  the  Ichthyological  collection,  which  the  Curator  reported  in  good  order. 

The  only  reports  that  specified  to  what  extent  the  collection  had  been  increased,  were 
those  of  Ornithology  and  Geology.  The  mounted  birds  were  given  as  233,  of  which  195, 
comprising  151  species,  are  found  in  Massachusetts.  Of  unmounted  skins  the  number 
given  was  592,  making  in  all  825  specimens. 

The  number  of  specimens  in  the  Geological  Collection  was  given  as  upwards  of  1000, 
of  which  about  one  half  were  Tertiary,  the  remainder  being  of  the  older  formations. 
Quite  a  number  of  these  were  yet  undetermined,  and  the  Curator  stated  would  have  to 
remain  so,  until  the  Library  should  be  better  furnished  with  works  on  the  subject  of 
Palaeontology. 

The  most  important  addition  to  the  Cabinet  of  the  Society,  during  the  year,  was  that 
made  to  the  dej^artment  of  Herpetology  by  Dr.  Cragin  of  Surinam.  From  him  twenty- 
three  jars  were  received,  containing  nearly  one  hundred  specimens  of  Saurian,  Ophidian, 
and  Bati'achian  reptiles,  all  in  an  excellent  state  of  preservation.  The  Curator  deplored 
the  necessity  of  storing  these  out  of  sight  for  want  of  room  to  put  them  on  exhibition. 

The  officers  elected  were  the  same  as  chosen  the  year  previous,  except  that  Dr.  A.  A. 
Gould  was  made  Curator  of  Conchology ;  Dr.  S.  Cabot,  Jr.,  of  Ornithology ;  and  Dr.  H.  J. 
Bigelow,  Cabinet  Keeper. 

The  Annual  Address  was  delivered  by  Professor  Asa  Gray,  and  gave  an  account  of 
the  recent  progress  and  present  state  of  Vegetable  Physiology.  It  was  exceedingly  inter- 
esting and  instructive,  and  was  listened  to  by  a  numerous  and  highly  cultivated  audience 
with  marked  attention. 

In  June  of  this  year,  the  first  notice  was  taken  of  the  bad  condition  of  the  Button- 
woods  in  New  England,  which  had  always  been,  until  within  a  short  time,  one  of  our 
healthiest  and  most  beautiful  trees.  At  the  sugjo-estion  of  Dr.  J.  B.  S.  Jackson,  the 
Rev.  John  L.  Russell  was  appointed  a  Connnittee  to  investigate  the  cause  of  the  injury  to 
them.  Mr.  Russell,  whose  attention  had  already  been  given  to  the  subject,  communicated 
the  result  of  his  observations  at  a  meeting  in  August.  His  views  appear  in  the  Proceed- 
ings of  the  Society  of  that  date.  He  ascribed  the  evil  to  the  young  wood  being  winter- 
killed, remarking  that  well  ripened  wood  was  always  essential  to  vigorous  health  in  peren- 
nial vegetation,  and  that  for  several  years  no  such  young  wood  had  been  seen.  He 
thought  that  the  great  vigor  in  the  larger  limbs  would  eventually  enable  the  trees  to 
survive  until  favorable  circumstances  facilitated  the  ripening  of  the  young  wood,  though 
doubtless  some  would  perish.  The  views  then  given  of  the  cause  of  the  trouble  have 
been  sustained  by  experience,  and  are  here  briefly  expressed  because  the  subject  has  by 
no  means  lost  its  interest  in  the  minds  of  those  who  admii'e  stately  and  vigorous  growth, 
such  as  was  exhibited  in  the  Buttonwoods  of  our  neighborhood  forty  years  ago. 

1845.  As  showing  the  means  sometimes  adopted  to  obtain  specimens  for  its  collections, 
it  may  be  mentioned  that  early  this  year  the  Society  appropriated  $25,  and  various  mem- 
bers individually  subscribed  a  considerable  amount  in  aid  of  an  expedition  to  Florida,  for 
such  a  purpose,  to  be  undertaken  by  Mr.  John  Bartlett. 


BOSTON  SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL   HISTORY.  43 

It  had  been  for  some  time  apparent  that  the  accommodations  afforded  by  the  Hall  oj 
the  Society  were  entirely  inadequate  for  the  proper  care  and  arrangement  of  the  increas- 
ing collections. 

At  the  Annual  Meeting  in  May,  several  of  the  Curators  complained  bitterly  of  this,  and 
it  became  manifest  to  all  that  some  measures  should  be  adojjted  towards  obtaining  more 
room  to  meet  this  requirement.  The  Curator  of  Ornithology  stated  that  less  than  one 
third  of  the  specimens  in  his  department  were  mounted,  for  the  want  of  room  to  place 
them  in,  tliat  the  cases  in  which  the  unmounted  specimens  were  placed  were  so  accessil)le 
to  moths  and  other  destructive  insects  that  the  collection  had  suffered  considerably,  and 
there  was  consequently  not  much  encouragement  for  him  or  others  to  make  exertion 
for  its  increase,  until  assured  that  the  labor  would  not  be  thrown  away.  Others  of  the 
Cui'ators. expressed  themselves  in  like  manner. 

In  the  President's  review  of  the  doings  of  the  Society  during  the  past  year,  he  likewise 
remarked  upon  the  necessity  for  more  room,  saying  that  the  time  had  now  come  when  the 
crowded  state  of  the  collections  and  limited  accommodations  for  meetings  made  it  neces- 
sary to  take  earnest  measures  for  the  erection  of  a  suitable   building  for  the   Society. 

The  present  is  a  propitious  time,  he  said,  to  commence  an  energetic  movement  for  the 
accomplishment  of  this  great  object. 

The  members  all  feeling  the  necessity  for  decisive  action,  it  was 

Voted :  That  in  the  opinion  of  this  Society,  the  time  has  now  arrived  when  a  strenuous 
effort  should  be  made  to  raise  sufficient  funds  to  ensure  the  prosperity  and  permanence  of 
the  institution. 

Voted :  Tiiat  a  Committee  be  appointed  to  act  personally  or  through  others,  to  be  selec- 
ted by  them,  to  solicit  subscriptions  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  a  building  for  the  use  of 
this  Society. 

Drs.  Amos  Binney,  Jr.,  C.  T.  Jackson,  D.  H.  Storer,  and  A.  A.  Gould,  were  elected  to 
compose  this  Committee. 

The  Curators'  Reports  did  not  mentioii  generally  the  extent  to  which  the  collections 
had  increased.  That  of  the  _  Treasurer  showed,  independently  of  the  Courtis  fund,  an 
excess  of  expenditure  over  the  income  of  $142.88,  which  added  to  excess  of  former 
years,  |327.22,  made  an  amoiuit  of  debt  due  to  the  Courtis  fund  of  $470.10. 

The  income  from  the  Courtis  fund  showed  a  balance  of  cash  on  hand  of  $421.88,  with 
$470.10  due  from  the  General  Fund.  The  understanding  that  the  income  from  this  fund 
should  be  equally  divided  between  the  Library,  Publication  expenses  and  the  Caljinet,  had 
not  been  complied  with,  in  fact  it  seldom  if  ever  was ;  the  general  expenses  of  the 
Society  being  too  great  to  admit  of  such  compliance.  The  publications,  moreover,  fre- 
quently required  too  much  to  allow  the  others  a  fair  share.  During  this  year  they  had 
over  $300  of  the  $618.66  received,  whilst  the  Library  had  obtained  only  $28.55,  and  the 
Cabinet  nothing. 

Among  the  pleasant  events  of  the  year  just  closed,  may  be  nicntioned  two  of  consid- 
erable importance ;  one  was  the  bequest  of  $2000  from  a  gentleman  then  recently  de- 
ceased, John  Parker,  Esq.,  a  merchant  of  the  city,  and  the  other  a  donation  of  more  than 
fifty  volumes  to  the  Library  by  Dr.  Francis  Boott  of  London. 


44  HISTORICAL  glvETCII  OF  THE 

One  means  of  obtaining  many  books  much  wanted  by  the  Society  has  not  been  yet 
referred  to.  At  the  time  of  the  generous  donation  of  the  great  work  of  Audubon,  by 
Col.  Thos.  H.  Perkins,  there  was  ah'eady  a  copy  in  the  library  which  had  been  acquired 
through  the  subscription  of  a  number  of  the  members.  After  the  reception  of  the  last 
copy,  the  consent  of  the  donors  of  the  first  was  asked  and  readily  obtained,  to  its  disposal 
by  the  Society  in  exchange  for  other  works.  A  Connnittee  was  therefore  appointed  by 
the  Council  to  effect  such  exchange.  Messrs.  Little  &  Brown,  who  had  always  manifested 
a  very  friendly  feeling  in  behalf  of  the  Society,  purchased  the  work,  agreeing  to  allow 
$625.00,  and  to  deliver  in  return  for  it  such  books  as  might  be  ordered  from  time  to 
time  throuuh  the  Committee.  As  the  works  received  in  exchange  were  to  be  such  as 
related  to  Ornitliology  only,  it  was  several  years  before  the  negotiation  was  completed ; 
the  Committee  for  this  purpose  meanwhile  being  annually  reappointed. 

Mr.  John  James  Dixwell,  who  had  served  the  Society  as  its  Treasurer  for  six  years,  re- 
signed at  this  meeting,  and  a  vote  was  passed  expressing  sincere  regret  at  his  retirement, 
and  thanks  for  the  acceptable  manner  with  which  he  had  filled  the  office  for  so  long  a 
period.  Patrick  T.  Jackson,  Jr.,  Esq.,  was  chosen  to  succeed  him.  The  only  other  change 
among  the  officers  was  that  Edward  Tuckerman,  Esq.  succeeded  Dr.  A.  A.  Gould  as  Cu- 
rator of  Conchology. 

The  Annual  Address  was  by  Prof.  Charles  Brooks,  and  was  entitled  "  The  history  of 
Philosophical  Zoology  from  the  earliest  times  to  the  present  day." 

In  July  of  this  year  the  Society  had  again  the  gratification  of  serving  the  cause  of 
Science  by  a  loan  of  several  of  its  specimens  from  the  collection  of  the  Radiata  to 
Dr.  Dana,  who  was  preparmg  his  great  work  on  the  Corals  of  the  U.  S.  Exploring  Expe- 
dition. 

In  this  year,  too,  the  Society  was  enabled,  by  the  publication  of  a  report  made  by  Prof. 
Jeffries  Wyman  at  one  of  its  meetings  upon  what  purported  to  be  the  skeleton  of  a  Sea 
Serpent,  to  do  great  service  to  the  community  by  saving  it  from  continued  deception. 
There  had  been  placed  on  exhibition  in  New  York  some  fossil  remains,  consisting  of  a 
great  number  of  vertebrae  arranged  in  such  a  way  as  to  give  them  the  appearance  of 
having  belonged  to  a  single  individual.  These,  with  what  purported  to  be  the  head, 
measured  in  length  about  one  hundred  and  Iburteen  feet.  Tliere  were  also  teeth,  ribs 
and  paddles.  The  character  of  the  remains  was  not  understood  by  the  exhibitor. 
Dr.  Koch,  and  no  obstacle  was  put  in  the  way  of  as  thorough  an  examination  as  could 
be  made  without  separating  the  parts  which  had  been,  to  a  greater  or  less  degree,  ce- 
mented together.  The  name  of  ILjdrarchus  SilUmani  had  been  given  to  this  so-called' 
sea-serpent,  and  its  exhibition  of  course  attracted  large  crowds  of  visitors.  The  full  descrip- 
tion of  the  bones,  as  read  by  Dr.  Wyman,  may  be  found  in  the  published  proceedings 
of  the  Society.  Suffice  it  here  to  state  that  the  vertebrae  were  shown  to  lielong,  not  to 
one  individual,  but  probably  to  many  of  different  ages,  tliat  so  far  as  they  could  be 
studied  they  did  not  present  any  of  the  characters  of  an  ophidiau  reptile;  and  that  some 
at  least  of  what  purported  to  be  bones,  or  portions  of  the  bones  of  the  paddles,  were 
not  bones  at  all,  but  casts  of  the  cavities  of  a  camerated  shell.  The  teeth  Dr.  Wyman 
clauned  to  be  those,  not  of  a  reptile,  but  of  a  warm  blooded  mammiferous  animal,  prob- 
ably a  Cetacean. 


BOSTON    SOCIETY   OF   NATURAL   TITSTOllY.  45 

This  report  did  honor  to  the  Society,  and  added  much  to  the  reputation  of  Dr.  Wyman. 
It  soon  became  well  known  that  the  l)ones  were  not  those  of  a  Eeptilc,  but  of  a  Cetacean 
beloug'iuLi'  to  a  genus  to  whicli  Prof  Owen  had  gi%'on  the  name  of  Zeuglodon.  They  were 
found  in  the  Tertiary  deposits  of  Alabama  and  belonged  undoubtedly  to  man^-  individuals. 
Vertebrae  and  other  bones  of  this  animal  may  be  now  seen  in  the  collection  of  the  So- 
ciety. 

It  may  be  well  to  state,  as  the  annual  reports  of  the  Curators  do  not  always  give  par- 
ticulars desired  relative  to  the  collections,  that  during  this  year  the  Mu^;eum  was  visited 
by  Prof  Lewis  R.  Gibbes  of  South  Carolina,  and  that  he  carefully  studied  the  Crustaceans 
in  its  cabinet  and  made  a  full  catalogue  of  them.  This  r('])i'esents  that  there  were  58  gen- 
era and  91  species,  some  of  them  rare  and  until  recently  undescribed. 

184G.  But  little  happened  during  this  year  that  would  interest  the  general  reader. 
From  the  reports  of  the  Curators  it  appeared  that  a  gratifying  increase  was  made  to  the 
several  departments  of  the  Museum,  and  from  that  of  the  Librarian  that  there  had  been 
added  143  volumes  to  the  Library,  mostly  obtained  by  purchase.  No  very  considerable 
donations  were  mentioned.  Great  complaints  of  lack  of  room  for  useful  exliiljition  of  the 
specimens  in  the  Museum  were  made. 

The  Treasurer  reported  a  balance  in  his  hands  belonging  to  general  fund  of  ^20.72 
and  a  balance  of  income  from  permanent  fund  of  $148.01.  The  permanent  fund  now 
amounted  to  $12,000. 

The  only  change  in  officers  was  the  election  of  Dr.  John  Bacon,  Jr.,  to  succeed  Edward 
Tuckerman,  Esq.,  as  Curator  of  Conchology. 

1847.  The  advent  of  Agassiz  among  us,  was,  as  Mr.  George  B.  Emerson  afterwards  char- 
acterized it,  a  most  important  event  to  all  engaged  in  the  study  of  natui'al  history  in  our 
country.  It  was  not  alone  that  he  possessed  information  most  desirable  for  our  education 
in  science,  and  great  ability  to  impart  it,  but  largely  because  of  a  personal  influence  that 
he  extended  over  all  who  came  in  contact  with  liim.  His  noble  mien,  his  personal  beauty, 
his  genial  manner  and  expressive  features,  the  earnestness  with  which  he  spoke  when- 
ever he  sought  to  interest  others  in  the  pursuits  he  loved;  all  conspired  to  impress  every 
one  who  approaclied  him  not  onl}'  witli  admiration  for  himself,  but  with  the  great  im- 
portance of  the  science  he  taiight.  It  is  to  show  wiiat  were  the  feelings  of  the  members 
of  the  Society  regarding  him  and  his  teaching,  that  tliis  notice  of  him  is  given  in  this 
place,  together  with  the  action  of  tlie  Society  at  a  ineeting  held  Feb.  3,  1847.  He  had 
but  recently  arrived,  and  had  just  completed  his  lirst  course  of  lectures  before  the  Lowell 
Institute.  At  the  meeting  referred  to,  Dr.  I).  Humphreys  Storer  submitted  tlie  following 
resolutions,  which  were  unanimously  adopted  : 

"Resolved,  That  this  Society  pi-esent  to  Professor  Agassiz  their  heartfelt  thanks  for  the 
gratification  and  instruction  received  by  its  members  during  Ids  late  course  of  lectures  on 
the  Plan  of  Ci'cation. 

''They  would  assure  him  tliat  his  lectures  have  given  an  impetus  to  the  study  of  natural 
history  such  as  has  never  before  been  felt  in  this  ct)mmunity  ;  and  which,  while  they  have 
excited  the  curiosity  and  called  forth  the  admiration  of  the  public,  have  more  than  realized 
the  most  sanguine  expectations  of  this  Scientific  Society. 


46  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 

"  While  as  a  body  we  would  thus  tender  our  acknowledgeineut  to  the  liberal  naturalist 
and  enlightened  philosopher,  we  beg  him  to  accept  our  individual  esteem  and  friendship." 

These  resolutions  not  only  received  the  signatures  of  all  present,  but  of  the  members 
generally,  who  subsequently  visited  the  library,  all  gladly  availing  themselves  of  the  op- 
portunity to  sign  them. 

In  March  of  this  year  the  Society  received  the  sad  intelligence  of  the  death  of  its 
highly  respected  President,  Dr.  Amos  Binney.  A  special  meeting  was  called  on  the  24th 
of  this  month  to  take  such  action  as  the  feelings  of  the  members  should  dictate.  After 
remarks  by  the  Vice  President.  Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson,  upon  the  melancholy  event  that  had 
brought  the  members  together,  Dr.  Storer  moved  the  following  resolution : — 

"  Resolved,  That  the  unexpected  tidings  of  the  death  of  our  much  valued  friend,  Amos 
Binney,  Esq.,  late  President  of  this  Society,  fills  us  with  inexpressible  sorrow.  To  us,  we 
feel  that  his  loss  is  irreparable.  The  founder  of  this  Society,  he  was  ever  its  steady,  devo- 
ted, true  friend ;  constantly  evincing  his  interest  by  suggesting  new  plans  for  its  advance- 
ment ;  constantly  proving  his  sincerity  by  his  endeavors  to  perfect  them.  To  his  encour- 
agement, decision  and  perseverance  we  owe,  in  no  slight  degree,  our  present  prosperous 
condition.  With  full  hearts,  we  would  acknowledge  our  obligations,  while  we  gratefully 
chei'ish  his  memory." 

Prof  Asa  Gray  offered  the  following  resolution : — 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Council  be  requested  to  prepare,  or  cause  to  be  prepared  by  such 
members  of  the  Society  as  they  may  designate  for  that  purpose,  a  sketch  of  the  life,  the 
scientific  labors  and  the  services  of  our  late  lamented  President,  to  be  read  before  the  So- 
ciety and  pul)lished  in  its  Journal,  or  in  such  other  manner  as  the  Society  may  direct." 

These  resolutions  were  unanimously  adopted. 

At  a  subsequent  meeting  of  the  Council  Dr.  Augustus  A.  Gould  was  appointed  to  pre- 
jDare  the  memoir  asked  for.  This  was  done,  being  made  introductoi-y,  however,  to  the  pub- 
lication of  Dr.  Binney's  Avork  on  the  Teri-estrial  Mollusks  of  the  United  States.  From  this 
memoir  are  taken  many  tacts  here  presented  concerning  the  subject  of  it.  Dr.  Binney 
was  born  in  Boston,  October  18th,  1803.  He  received  his  early  education  at  the  Derby 
Academy  in  Hingham,  and  aftei"wards  entered  Bi'own  University,  from  which  he  graduated 
in  1821.  Subsequently  he  studied  medicine  with  Dr.  George  C.  Sliattuck  of  this  city,  and 
atteiided  medical  lectures  at  Dartmouth  College.  At  this  time  his  health  tailed  and  he 
was  obliged  in  consequence  to  give  up  his  studies,  and  by  the  advice  of  his  medical  friends 
to  travel  extensively  over  this  country  and  Europe.  Whilst  abroad  he  visited  England, 
France,  Italy  and  Germany,  giving  his  attention  to  the  hospitals  and  to  the  great  collec- 
tions of  science  and  art.  In  December,  1825,  he  returned  home  much  improved  in  health. 
He  again  devoted  himself  to  professional  study,  and  took  the  Degree  of  Doctor  in  Medi- 
cine at  Harvard  University  in  1826.  The  practice  of  his  profession,  however,  he  did  not 
find  congenial  to  his  tastes,  and  thinking  it  would  not  be  so  favorable  for  his  health  as  mer- 
cantile pursuits,  he  abandoned  it,  and  engaged  in  trade  and  subsequently  in  mining  opera- 
tions. 

While  so  employed  he  never  lost  his  interest  in  scientific  studies,  which  indeed  ab- 
sorbed a  large  part  of  the  leisure  time  that  could  be  spared  from  business.  After  suf- 
fering from  some   vicissitudes  of  fortune,  and  having  finally  obtained  a  competence,  he 


BOSTON  SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL   HISTORY.  •  47 

ilotermmed  to  devote  his  life  especially  to  science  and  art,  intending  "  after  his  own  family  " 
to  make  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History  and  the  Boston  Athenaeum,  the  objects 
of  his  solicitude  and  bounty.  His  anticipations  were  not  realized.  His  health  again 
declined,  and  encouraged  by  his  former  experience  he  sought  to  regain  it  by  a  .sea  voy- 
age and  a  sojourn  in  Europe.  His  intentions  were,  if  health  permitted,  to  make  him.self 
acquainted  with  the  scientific  collections  of  the  old  world,  and  to  select  while  there,  a  fine 
lil)rary  of  such  scientific  works  as  would  be  of  service  not  only  to  himself  but  to  others 
engaged  in  like  pursuits.  He  left  home  in  October,  1846,  was  not  improved  by  the  voy- 
age, and  after  suflering  much  from  disease  both  in  France  and  Italy,  finally  died  at  Eome, 
February  18,  1847.  His  remains,  in  obedience  to  his  wishes,  were  brought  home  for 
l)urial  at  Mount  Auburn.  As  the  memoir  states,  "  Dr.  Binney  in  person  was  above  the 
middle  stature,  erect,  roljust  and  well  formed.  His  complexion  was  dark,  with  very  dark 
hair  and  eyes.  His  features  were  full  and  w^ell  formed.  His  dress  was  scrupulouslv  neat, 
his  manners  were  dignified  and  Ijespoke  the  gentleman.  His  voice  was  deep  toned,  full 
and  melodious,  and  his  enunciation  was  remarkably  distinct.  In  his  opinions  he  was 
decided  but  not  obstinate.  He  was  elegant  and  refined  in  his  tastes,  and  passionately 
loud  of  the  iine  arts.  He  was  most  happy  in  his  domestic  relations,  an  excellent  fiither, 
unsjjeakably  anxious  to  train  up  his  children,  both  by  example  and  precept,  in  all  their 
duties  to  God  and  Man."  An  extract  from  his  Journal  quoted  in  the  Memoir  expresses 
well  his  feelings  relating  to  his  children.  "May  they,"  he  wrote,  "especially  hubibe 
principles  of  honor  and  religion,  and  may  it  be  their  high  aim  to  acquire  and  deserve  the 
name  of  the  Christian  gentleman.  May  it  be  said  of  my  house,  not  that  all  the  sons  were 
l)rave  and  the  daughters  virtuous,  but  that  all  the  sons  were  upright  and  honorable,  and 
all  the  daughters  good." 

The  part  taken  by  Dr.  Binney  in  the  formation  of  the  Society,  and  his  active  zeal  for 
its  interests  manifested  ever  afterwards,  have  l)een  shown  but  inadequately  in  the  pa^es 
of  this  history.  To  do  full  justice  to  the  menrory  of  all  to  whom  it  owed  its  origin,  and 
who  nurtured  it  in  its  inflxncy,  would  require  volumes  where  but  In-ief  chapters  can  be 
given.  He  was,  as  has  been  stated,  of  that  small  numl)er  of  [)ersons  who  first  met  at  the 
house  of  Dr.  Walter  Channing  on  February  9,  1830,  to  consider  the  (question  of  forming 
a  Society  of  Natural  History. 

He  felt  a  great  interest  in  the  Joiu'ual  of  (lie  Society  and  contributed  several  papers 
which  appeared  in  its  eoluiuns.  To  the  Musetim  he  presented  .specimens  of  great  value, 
not  only  for  his  favorite  department  of  Conchology,  Init  for  any  of  them  as  opportunity 
favort'd.  It  will  be  borne  in  mind  by  readers,  that  he  offered  tipon  condition  that  other 
gentlemen  opened  their  cabinets  to  a  committee  of  the  Society  to  select  from  them  species 
not  in  his  own,  his  whole  collection  of  more  than  twelve  hundred.  The  condition  having 
been  conq)lied  with,  the  Society  was  enriched  through  his  generosity  to  the  extent  of 
about  two  thousand  species.  The  first  large  donation  of  fossils  and  of  minerals  was  made 
by  him  and  the  number  of  specimens  aggregated  about  five  hundred.  Of  mounted  Amer- 
ican birds  he  also  presented  many.  He  had  a  large  and  valuable  library  of  books  on  sci- 
entific subjects,  and  these  were  always  at  the  service  of  all  who  required  them  for  investi- 
gation. 


48  '  HISTORICAL  SICETCII  OF  THE 

Up  to  the  time  when  again  forced  by  disease  to  reliiKiuish  his  labors,  lie  continued  to 
manifest  the  same  zeal  in  behalf  of  the  Society  as  had  always  been  shown  by  him  from  its 
formation.  His  last  work  for  it  was  in  a  strenuous  effort  to  obtain  subscriptions  from  the 
public  that  would  enable  it  to  possess  a  building  suitable  for  its  increasing  collections,  and 
he  had  well  nigh  succeeded  before  incapacitated  from  further  exertion. 

Tlie  Society  could  have  met,  apparently,  no  greater  loss  than  that  incurred  by  the  death 
of  Dr.  Binney.  This  was  felt  deeply  by  its  members,  as  his  intentions  to  devote  time  and 
means  largely  to  its  service  were  well  known  to  them. 

But  they  did  not  mourn  his  loss  merely  as  that  of  one  from  whom,  had  he  lived,  the 
Society  might  have  received  continued  benefits,  but  because  they  felt  in  common  with  all 
who  knew  him  intimately,  that  a  helpful  companion,  a  good  citizen,  and  an  upright  man 
had  passed  away,  one  possessing  all  the  traits  that  constitute  the  character  which  he 
prayed  might  be  the  high  aim  of  his  children  to  acquire,  that  of  a  Christian  gentleman. 

Li  April,  Dr.  Samuel  Cabot,  in  behalf  of  a  Committee  to  whom  had  been  allotted  the 
dutv  of  seeking  for  the  Society  a  suitable  edifice  for  its  purposes,  rejiorted  that  the  build- 
imr  in  Mason  Street  known  as  the  Massachusetts  Medical  College  was  for  sale  at  a  reason- 
able  price,  and  that  after  a  thorough  examination,  they  judged  it  capable  of  being  adapted 
perfectly  to  the  wants  of  the  Society.  They  therefore  recommended  its  purchase,  and 
that  the  necessary  alterations  be  made. 

After  some  discussion  a  vote  passed  unanimously  that  the  Committee  have  authority  to 
purchase  the  property  and  make  the  proposed  alterations. 

The  Annual  Meeting  was  held  on  the  first  Wednesday  of  May  and  the  reports  of  the 
Curators  were  presented,  but  on  motion  being  made,  the  reading  of  them  was  postponed 
until  the  next  meeting,  when  the  annual  address  w'ould  be  delivered.  Tlie  officei's  of  the 
Society  were  elected,  John  Collins  Warren,  M.  D.,  being  chosen  President.  Tlie  only 
other  change  from  those  of  the  previous  year,  was  that  Dr.  S.  Kneeland,  Jr.,  was  made 
cal)inet  keeper. 

The  reports  of  the  Curators  were  read  at  the  next  meeting.  The  specimens  of  the  sev- 
eral departments,  excepting  that  of  Entomology,  of  which  no  report  was  made,  Avere  rep- 
resented to  be  now  in  safe  condition,  though  not  much  increased  in  number.  Those  of  the 
Ornithological  department  were  two-thirds  of  them  stowed  away  carefully  in  the  garret, 
sealed  up,  for  want  of  more  suitable  accommodations.  To  preserve  them  from  the  Der- 
mestes,  which  had  attacked  tliem  seriously  in  spite  of  previous  precaiitions,  they  had  been 
hnmersed  in  corrosive  sublimate.  Twenty-seven  or  twenty-eight  s^Decimens  had  been  re- 
ceived from  that  indefatigable  friend  of  the  Society,  Dr.  Cragin  of  Surinam. 

As  was  remarked  at  the  meeting,  it  must  not  be  inferred  from  the  reports  of  the  Cura- 
toi's,  that  there  was  any  less  interest  felt  in  the  collections  than  formerly.  It  had  been 
necessai-y  to  refuse  .specimens  for  want  of  room  to  accommodate  them  and  it  had  not  been 
possible  to  arrange  properly  those  already  belonging  to  the  Society. 

Tlie  Vice  President,  Dr.  Storer,  made  some  very  appropriate  remarks  upon  the  late 
President,  Dr.  Binney,  and  addressing  his  successor,  warmly  welcomed  him  to  the  seat  he 
was  now  occupying,  pledging  the  hearty  co-operation  of  his  brother  member's  and  himself 
in  aiding  him  to  advance  the  interests  of  the  Society. 


/"  ^  /ji  r.^     y.  J  r  ji 


7 


BOSTON  SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL   HISTORY.  49 

The  President,  Dr.  Warren,  expresi^ed  the  gratification  felt  by  him  at  the  honor  con- 
ferred in  hi.s  election,  and  at  the  kind  welcome  given  him. 

An  addres.s  by  Dr.  Augu.'^tu.s  A.  Gould,  followed,  and  was  principally  upon  tlie  life, 
character  and  labors  of  the  late  President,  Amos  Binney.  lie  dosed  by  congratulating 
the  Society  upon  the  prospect  that  the  next  annual  meeting  would  be  held  in  a  new  edi- 
fice, more  suitable  for  its  purposes. 

From  the  Treasurer's  report  for  the  year  it  was  shown  that  the  whole  receipts  on  gen- 
eral account  had  been  §499.22,  and  the  expenditures  §409.26,  leaving  a  balance  due  the 
Treasurer  of  four  cents.  The  Courtis  fund  account  exhibited  receipts  including  balance 
of  previous  year,  §oo5.51,  and  expenditures  §3oS.2G,  showing  a  balance  on  hand  of 
$197.2.3. 

There  was  a  special  meeting,  later  in  .May.  at  the  house  of  the  President,  to  take  fur- 
ther measures  relative  to  the  proposed  new  building.  It  would  seem  from  the  action 
taken  that  the  purchase  had  not  been  consummated.  pr()l>ably  awaiting  the  subscription  of 
a  sutlicient  amount  to  warrant  it.  as  votes  were  passed  directing  the  Treasurer  to  collect  the 
moneys  alreailv  sub.scribed  for  the  purpose  ;  that  the  Building  Committee  be  requested  to 
continue  their  efforts  to  increase  the  sub.«cription ;  and  that  they  l)e  authori/^ed  to  conclude 
the  purchase  of  the  Medical  College. 

From  tiie  sul)sequent  records  of  the  year  there  is  little  or  nothing  to  Ije  learned  of  fur- 
ther action  relative  to  the  acquisition  of  the  building  it  w'as  propo.sed  to  purchase  ;  yet  be- 
fore its  close  it  had  come  into  the  possession  of  the  Society,  and  such  alterations  had  been 
made  as  were  necessary  to  adapt  it  for  the  use  of  the  mu.seum  and  library. 

1848.  On  the  fifth  of  January.  1848,  the  Society  met  in  the  new  building,  and  a 
large  number  of  members  were  present.  The  President  congratulated  the  Society  on  the 
agreeable  circumstances  under  which  the  first  meeting  of  the  year  was  held  ;  spoke  of  the 
dilficulties  under  which  it  had  labored  from  restricted  accommodations  and  narrow  means ; 
and  ended  with  expressing  the  hope,  that  with  increased  means  of  usefidness,  it  woidd  not 
permit  the  achievements  of  its  maturity  to  contrast  unfavorably  with  those  of  its  youth. 

The  movement  inaugurated  by  the  late  President  to  raise  an  amount  of  money  by  an 
appeal  to  the  public  sufficient  to  enable  the  Society  to  possess  a  building  of  its  own,  had 
been  quite  successful,  the  sum  of  §28,660  having  been  contributed  for  the  purpose  by 
eiirhty-six  individuals.  The  following  resolutions  were  introduced  by  Dr.  Storer  at  this 
meeting: — 

'^Eesolved,  That  the  heartfelt  thanks  of  this  Society  be  presented  to  those  gentlemen 
whose  mnnihcence  has  enabled  us  to  call  this  temple  our  ow^n. 

'•Resolved,  That  we  will  endeavor  to  prove  our  sense  of  obligation  by  a  renewed  de- 
votion to  the  cause  of  science. 

'■'■Resolved,  That  we  deeply  feel  the  kindness  and  liberality  of  George  M.  Dexter  and 
Edward  C.  Cabot,  E.sqs.,  in  advising  and  aiding  in  the  architectural  arrangements  of  our 
building  ;  and  most  especially  do  we  feel  indebted  to  N.  B.  Shurtleff.  M.D.,  for  the  skill 
he  has  exhibited  in  adapting,  and  the  zeal  and  fidelity  with  which  lie  has  for  months  su- 
perintended the  advancing  work." 

At  the  next  meeting,  held  January  19th,  a  vote  was  passed  thanking  Dr.  Storer,  Dr. 
Cabot  and  their  associates  for  the  earnestness  and  perseverance  shown  by  them  in  raising 


50 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 


funds  toAvards  the  purchase  of  the  new  buildius^  and  its  adaptation  to  the  use  of  the  Soci- 
ety, and  at  a  meeting  in  February  a  special  vote  of  thanks  to  Dr.  Shurtlefl  was  passed  for 
the  great  care  taken,  for  the  time  given,  and  for  tlie  taste  and  skill  e.xliibited  by  iiim  in 
providing  for  the  accommodation  of  the  Society  and  its  collections. 

At  the  ;iiniiial  meeting  in  May  the  Treasurer  reported   that  the  whole  amount   received 
From  general  sources  was        ........  $1288.96 

From  Courtis  fund 1103.56 

From  subscribers  to  building 26999.75 

Total  received         ........ 

That  the  whole  amount  expended  was 

For  general  jmrposes         ......... 

From  Courtis  fund   .......... 

Towards  new  building 

For  repairs  and  alterations        ........ 


Total  e.N]iended        ....... 

Leaving  a  balance  of  cash     .... 

There  yet  remained  due, —   ■ 

On  the  building         ......... 

Interest     ........... 

To  architects  and  others 

Towards  liiiuidation  of  this,  subscribers  to  the  building  yet  owe 
Leaving  an  amount  to  be  ])rovided  for  of  .... 


SI  300.35 
450.73 

20000.00 
7257.63 

$29392. 

$29008. 

27 

• 

71 

$383.56 


$3000.00 

425.00 

1295.00 

$4720.00 
1720.00 

$3000.(10 


The  Librarian  reported  that  during  the  year  there  had  been  received  120  volumes,  and 
102  pamphlets  and  parts  of  volumes,  most  of  them  donations.  Of  the  works  received, 
twelve  volumes  had  been  selected  from  the  library  of  the  late  lion.  Judge  Davis,  in 
accordance  with  a  provision  in  his  will ;  Audubon's  Quadrupeds  of  America  had  been  pre- 
.sented  by  subscribers  to  that  work ;  and  other  valuable  publications  had  been  the  gift  of 
Alcide  D'Orbigny,  and  Drs.  Kneeland,  Shurtlefli'  and  Bacon.  The  whole  number  of  vol- 
umes in  the  liln-ary  now  numbered  1260,  and  of  pamphlets  and  parts  of  volumes  there 
were  120. 

The  Curator  of  Mineralogy  reported  that  of  the  specimens  in  his  department  eight 
hundred  ouly  were  thought  worthy  of  a  place  on  the  shelves  of  the  new  building,  wdiere 
they  had  been  deposited  and  classified.  Mr.  Francis  Alger  had  presented  eighty  valuable 
specimens  to  the  collection,  and  others,  costing  fifty  dollars,  had  been  procured  by  sub- 
scription. 

The  Curator  of  Ornithology  reported  that  there  had  been  presented  eighty  birds  by 
various  persons  during  the  year,  and  that  he  was  ready  to  give  from  his  own  collection 
one  hundred  more,  as  soon  as  funds  could  be  had  to  mount  them.  A  valuable  collection 
of  eggs  had  been  received.  The  donors  to  this  department  during  the  year,  were 
Major  Townsend,  Messrs.  G.  M.  Dexter,  E.  C.  Cabot,  W.  Sohier,  Robbins  and  Ogden,  and 
Drs.  ShurtlefT,  Read,  Abbot  and  Bethune. 


BOSTON   SOCIETY   OF  NATURAL   HISTORY.  .      51 

The  Curator  of  Ichthyology  reported  that  the  collection  ol'  this  department  was  not  in 
good  condition,  owing  to  the  losses  produced  by  the  ravages  of  insects  and  the  means 
used  to  eradicate  them.  To  Capt.  N.  E.  Atwood  the  Society  was  indebted  for  several  line 
specimens,  two  of  which  were  of  genera  new  to  the  waters  of  Massachusetts. 

The  Reports  upon  other  departments  were  too  meagre  of  information  to  call  for  notice 
here. 

The  .same  board  of  oflicers  was  elected,  except  tliat  Dr.  S.  L.  Alibot  was  cho.sen  Record- 
m<r  Secretarv,  Wal<lo  1.  Burnett  Curator  of  Entomoloirv,  W.  O.  Avres  of  Ichthvology, 
Dr.  JefTries  Wyman  of  Ilerpetology.  and  Dr.  Wm.  Reed  of  Conohology. 

The  annual  address  was  delivered  by  Dr.  D.  Humphreys  Storer,  and  was  a  \cvy  inter- 
esting historical  sketch  of  the  origin  and  growth  of  the  Society  up  to  that  period. 
Dr.  Storer  availed  himself  of  the  opportunity  to  acknowledge  the  indebtedne.'^s  of  the 
Societv  to  its  numerous  friends  and  benefactors,  who  at  all  times  had  been  ready  with  a 
liberal  hand  to  supjdv  its  wants  and  promote  its  interests,  until  by  a  crowning  act  of  mu- 
nificence it  had  lieen  furnislied  with  a  building  in  every  respect  suited  to  its  Avants.  lie 
urged  with  great  earnestness  upon  the  members  the  duty  of  making  redoubled  eflbrts  in 
the  cause  of  science. 

This  address,  of  which  the  record  gives  the  above  account,  was  listened  to  with  great 
attention  by  a  crowded  audience.  The  thanks  of  the  Society  were  voted  to  Dr.  Storer  for 
it,  and  he  was  a.sked  to  furnish  a  copy  for  pultlication.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  he  neither 
did  this  nor  preserved  the  original  manuscript,  as  there  was  undoubtedly  much  in  it  of 
historical,  value. 

From  the  time  that  the  Society  took  po.ssession  of  its  new  apartments  there  was  an 
increased  interest  shown  on  the  part  of  the  members,  both  in  attendance  upon  its  meetings 
and  in  work  upon  the  collections.  The  room  of  meeting,  that  of  the  Library,'  was  a  cosy 
one.  and  in  the  afternoons  some  of  the  Cui-ators  were  generally  to  be  fouml  there  engaged 
in  the  examination  and  study  of  specimens,  or  arranging  them  on  tablets.  Here  the  Cu- 
rator of  Botany  miglit  often,  for  years,  have  been  found  at  work  upon  the  Herbarium,  and 
the  Curator  of  Geology,  then  embracing  Palaeontology,  striving  in  vain  perhaps  to  obtain 
some  knowledge  of  fossils,  of  which  little  could  be  learned,  lor  want  of  the  necessary 
books. 

1849.  At  the  annual  meeting  this  year,  the  figures  given,  showing  the  extent  of  the 
collections,  are  repeated  here.  Several  of  the  Curators  as  usual,  omit  a  statement. 
The  department  of  Mineralogy  had  been  increased  by  the  addition  of  542  specimens,  mak- 
ing the  whole  number  now  about  1450.  Of  those  received,  about  200  had  been  presented 
by  Francis  Alger,  the  remainder  by  several  donors.  The  collection  of  insects  was 
reported  as  containing  14,000  specimens  comprising  about  4,000  species.  J.  M.  Bethune, 
Esq.,  had  presented  540  species  from  the  vicinity  of  Boston,  and  Dr.  T.  W.  Harris  070 
species.  Great  pains  had  been  taken  to  exclude  Dermestes  and  Anthreni,  and  to  repair 
the  ravages  already  made  by  them.  The  collection  of  birds  had  been  increased 
by  several  donations,  and  now  numbered  somewhat  over  a  thousand  specimens,  eflect- 
ually  secured  against  the  attacks  of  insects. 

The    department   of  Ichthyology    had    received    donations    from    Dr.    D.    Humphreys 

'  The  use  of  the  Library  room  was  sometimes  granted  to  Desor  was  tlius  permitted  to  occupy  it  two  eveninj;s  in  a 
members    of   the    Societv    who    wished   to    lecture.      Mr.       week,  for   a  course  delivered  by  him  in  the  fall  of  1S48. 


52  HISTORICAL   SKETCH   OF   TIIK 

Storer,  Mrs.  Binnoy.  Dr.  11.  B.  Storor  anrl  others.     'V]\v   collection   oontainerl    ?)fiO  species, 
all  reported  in  i^xjod  condition. 

The  Lil)rary  now  contained  13:^11  volumes,  and  l^l-"!  painiddets. 

'Die  Treasurer's  account  sliowed  a  halaucc  ol'  ca'-li  in  lii<  liaiids  of  |124.98,  and  an 
amount  of  ^1100  due  from  suhscril)ers  to  the  Building,  not  ])aid.  There  was  yet  due  by 
the  Society  on  account  of  the  Building,  debts  to  the  amount  of  about  $  l-j()U. 

The  changes  among  the  officers  this  year,  were  in  C.  C.  Sheafe  being  chosen  Cabinet 
Keeper;  Francis  Alger  lieing  made  Curator  of  Mineralogy,  aud  J)r.  S.  Kneeland.  Jr.,  of 
Comparative  Anatomy. 

This  year  a  proposition  was  made  by  an  Association  called  ''  A  Repnldican  Institution  " 
to  deposit  the  Ijooks  possessed  by  it  in  our  librar^^,  and  to  grant  for  the  use  of  the  Society 
one  half  of  a  fund  l)elonging  to  the  Institution,  of  over  $2500.  for  the  ])nrcliase  of  such 
works  upon  Natural  History  as  the  Society  might  select,  with  the  understanding  thai  the 
other  half  should  be  expended  upcm  works  of  History,  Biograph}',  Geography,  Bolilics 
and  Finance;  and  that  the  whole,  together  with  other  books  now  owned  by  them,  should 
be  placed  in  our  library  on  deposit ;  provided  that  the  mendjers  of  the  Association  should 
have  the  same  ])rivileges  in  the  use  of  the  Society's  library,  as  the  nu'iubei's  of  the  So- 
ciety. This  proposition  was  accepted,  aud  the  sum  of  $lo()0  was  ])laced  in  the  hands  of 
the  Treasurer  for  piu'chasc  of  books  on  natural  history. 

Another  event  very  gratifying  to  the  mendjers  occurred  this  year.  This  was  the  nni- 
nificent  donation  of  two  thousand  dollars,  made  by  Mr.  Jonathan  Phillips  of  Boston.  By 
this  most  tinudy  and  ludpful  act.  the  Treasurer  was  enabled  to  pay  the  debts  of  the  So- 
ciety, and  to  have  the  satisfaction  of  reporting  it  free  from  all  encundu'ances. 

Most  heartily  the  Council  passed  a  vote  of  thanks,  which  was  conveyed  to  Mr.  Phillips 
in  a  letter  signed  by  the  President  and  Secretary  of  the  Society. 

185(1.  In  the  early  part  of  this  year  the  Society  was  called  upon  to  mourn  the  loss  of 
one  of  the  original  members  of  the  Society,  Dr.  Martin  Gay.  He  was  a  man  ol  learning, 
and  ardently  devoted  to  science  and  art;  of  strict  integrity,  and  of  singular  purity  of 
life  and  thought.  Perhaps  the  writei'  of  these  pages  can  give  no  better  idea  of  him  than 
by  repeating  IVoui  the  records  of  the  Society,  the  words  in  whicdi  he  gave  utterance  to 
his  feelings  upon  the  announcement  of  the  sad  evc^ut. 

■'With  Dr.  Gay  I  was  indeed  most  intimate,  and  I  e.xpress,  therefore,  what  I  know,  when 
I  claim  for  him  a  degree  of  virtue,  a  nobleness  of  purpose,  an  exaltation  of  character,  far 
beyond  \\liat  is  generally  found  in  man.  Conscientious  to  a  great  degree,  every  deed  per- 
formed by  him.  every  judgment  given,  first  received  the  sanction  of  the  highest  senti- 
ments of  his  soul;  and.  long  as  I  have  known  hun,  I  never  heard  him  express  an  impure 
thought.  Loving  God,  and  loving  man,  his  desire  was  to  enlarge  his  own  being  that  he 
might  the  better  serve  both.  Too  great  by  nature  and  cidtnre  to  confine  his  regard  to 
those  of  a  class,  or  a  sect,  all  who  sou"ht  his  friendshii>  aud  were  worthy,  fouud  iu  him 
ready  sympathy.  The  bickerings  and  the  jealousies  that  trouble  smaller  men,  never 
reached  him;  but  yet  he  was  always  ready  to  advocate  manfully  the  cause  that  appeared 
to  him  just.  Without  guile,  transparent  to  all  whose  motives  were  kindred  to  his  own,  he 
inspired  aud  enjoyed  the  confidence  of  the  eomuiuuity.  His  attainments  were  of  a  high 
order.     Love  of  the   beuutifid   in   nature  and   art,  and   iu  spirit,  was  a  ruling  trait  of  his 


BOSTON  SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL    HISTORY.  53 

character.  A  fine  scene,  a  good  painting,  or  a  noble  action,  would  alike  kindle  his  enthu- 
siastic admiration.  In  truth  we  have  lost  from  amongst  us  a  presence  which  sanctified 
connnunion  hy  its  purity  ;  a  wisdom  whicli  was  more  than  that  of  this  world  ;  and  a  lov- 
ing .soul  which  we  trust  has  found  acceptance  in  the  land  of  the  pure  and  the  holy.  God 
help  us,  that  we  may  be  as  ready  a.s  was  our  lu-other.  to  bid  adieu  to  present  scenes  of 
action,  when  we  are  summoned  hence  to  be  no  more  here  forever." 

All  that  was  thus  expressed  before  the  Society  of  the  character  of  Dr.  Gay  was  recog- 
nized as  beintr  true  of  him  by  his  associates  in  the  medical  profession,  and  in  other 
.•Societies  of  which  he  was  a  memlier  ;  and  l)y  a  large  niunljer  of  friends,  among  whom  he 
was  respected  and  beloved.  Dr.  Gay  was  born  in  Boston,  Feb.  IG.  1803,  and  received  his 
education  at  Harvard  College  being  a  meudier  of  the  class  of  1823.  His  attainments  as 
a  chemist  were  of  a  high  order.  Judge  Shaw,  in  a  tribute  to  his  memory  before  the 
Academy  of  Arts  and  Sciences,  of  which  he  was  a  valued  member,  spoke  of  him  as  an 
adept  in  medical  jurispruilence,  and  as  having  a  pecidiar  faculty  of  rendering  scientific 
principles  and  processes  intelligible  to  a  jm-y. 

From  annual  reports  of  the  Curat<us  ol"  the  Musi-um.  May  1.  IS")!),  and  of  the  other 
officers  of  tlie  Society,  may  be  learned,  so  far  as  these  give  particulars,  statements  of  the 
conditions  of  the  several  departments,  and  what  progress  had  been  made  during  the  two 
decades  now  j^a.s.-'ed  in  the  history  of  the  Society.  Unfortunately  they  are  too  brief  to  be 
entirely  satisfiictorv. 

The  Ornithological  department  is  mentioned  as  in  good  condition,  free  from  insects,  and 
as  improved  by  the  substitution  of  many  good,  in  place  of  bad  .specimens.  The  whole 
nuudjer  reported  in  the  Cabinet  was  given  as  I'JOT.  In  the  (ieological  department  but  little 
change  was  reported  as  having  occurred  through  the  year.  It  may  be  stated,  therefore, 
that  the  collection  at  this  time  consisted  of  about  lOdU  specimens  desirable  for  exhibition, 
and  about  oOU  duplicates.  The  Curator  of  Ichthyology  reported  the  collection  in  his  de- 
partment to  be  in  good  condition,  but  gave  no  figures.  As  there  were  reported  at  the 
previous  annual  meeting,  360  species,  and  a  large  number  of  donations  had  been  i-eceived 
during  the  year,  there  were  probabh-  about  400  species. 

The  Curator  of  Entomology  reported  that  there  had  been  no  material  increase  in  his 
department,  and  stated  that  he  thought  it  more  an  object  to  take  care  of  and  to  .system- 
atically arrange  what  specimens  were  already  in  the  Cabinet,  than  to  add  to  their  number. 
It  may  be  presumed  from  this  that  there  were  about  as  many  specimens  in  the  Cabinet  as 
mentioned  the  previous  year,  viz:   14,000,  compi'ising  about  4000  species. 

The  Curator  of  Comparative  Anatomy  reported  many  valualde  additions,  among  others 
the  entire  skeleton  of  the  Manatee,  then  the  onh'  one  in  the  country  ;  with  the  stuficd  skin 
also.  This  had  been  obtained  and  presented  by  the  President.  A  fine  skeleton  of  a  male 
moose  had  likewise  been  presented  by  him  and  had  been  beautifully  mounted  by  Dr.  Shurtr 
lefT.  The  number  of  specimens  was  not  reported  in  this  department,  and  as  this  had  been 
the  case  for  several  years,  no  statement  as  to  how  many  there  were  can  be  made. 

The  Curator  of  Mineralogy  reported  the  accession  of  about  100  specimens  to  his  de- 
partment during  the  year,  but  made  no  mention  of  the  entire  immber  belonging  to  it. 
Adding  those  received  since  the   previous  annual  meeting  to  those   then  i-eported  in  the 


54  HISTORICAL  SIvETCH  OF  THE 

Cabinet,  and  we  have  about  1550   specimens  as  comprising  tlie  whole  collection  at   this 
time. 

The  Curator  of  llerpetology  made  no  rejjort  beyond  stating  that  the  collection  was  in 
about  the  same  condition  as  it  had  been  for  some  time.  The  number  of  specimens  cannot 
be  stated,  as  the  reports  for  several  previous  years  are  too  meagre  in  detail.  It  will  be 
remembered,  however,  that  every  species  of  reptile  belonging  to  Massachusetts,  with  pos- 
sibly one  exception,  was  reported  in  a  previous  year  as  in  this  department,  in  good  con- 
dition. 

The  Librarian  reported  the  whole  niunber  of  books  in  the  Library  as  3500,  including 
about  300  deposited,  these  being  the  property  of  "A  Republican  Institution." 

The  Treasurer  reported  a  balance  due  him  on  general  account  of  $74G.19.  This 
occurred  from  causes  not  likely  to  happen  again,  arising  from  the  removal,  such  as  adding 
iron  shutters  to  the  building.  As  there  was  a  balance  at  the  same  time  to  the  credit  of 
the  Courtis  fund  account  of  |983.88,  the  Society  could  not  be  regarded  as  in  debt.  The 
Treasurer  was  afterwards  authorised  to  pay  himself  out  of  the  income  of  that  fund. 
Mr.  J.  Elliot  Cabot  was  chosen  Corresponding  Secretary  at  this  meeting,  and  Dr.  N.  B. 
Shurtleft",  Treasurer.     The  other  officers  were  re-elected  for  the  ensuing  year. 

Notwithstanding  the  favorable  character  of  the  Reports  of  the  Curators  at  the  annual 
meeting,  upon  the  condition  of  the  collections  under  their  charge,  there  must  have  been 
indications  of  evil ;  as  at  the  meeting  of  the  Council  held  after  that  of  the  Society,  a 
Committee  of  three  was  appointed  to  check  the  ravages  of  insects,  with  power  to  notify 
the  various  Ciu-ators  of  their  presence  in  the  specimens  under  their  charge,  and  if  need 
be  to  adopt  measures  themselves  to  free  the  cases  from  them.  This  implies  not  only  the 
opinion  that  harm  was  likely  to  result  from  insects,  but  some  question  whether  the  Cu- 
rators could  be  relied  upon  to  free  the  collections  from  them. 

The  annual  address  was  not  delivered  until  June  5.  It  was  by  the  Rev.  Zadock  Thomp- 
son, of  Burlington,  Vermont,  upon  the  natural  history  of  that  state,  and  was  a  very  in- 
teresting and  instructive  discourse. 

There  were  some  facts  mentioned  by  Mr.  Teschemacher  at  the  annual  meeting  which, 
considering  the  great  excitement  following  the  recent  discovery  of  gold  in  California  and 
the  consequent  results,  were  certainly  s;u-prising.  These  were,  that  in  a  work  printed  in 
London  in  1818,  Phillips'  Lectures  on  Mineralogy,  it  is  distinctly  stated  that  gold  is  found 
in  large  lumps  deposited  a  few  inches  below  the  surface  of  the  soil  throughout  an  exten- 
sive district  bordering  on  the  sea;  that  Mr.  Ellis,  thirty  years  ago  (about  1820)  obtained 
from  this  region  a  mass  of  native  gold  mixed  with  quartz ;  and  that  in  1839  Mr.  Alfred 
Robinson  sent  to  Boston  from  California  $10,000  worth  of  gold  in  large  lumps.  It  seems 
strange  in  view  of  such  evidence  of  the  existence  of  gold  in  large  quantities  in  the  soil  of 
California,  that  no  action  was  taken  to  obtain  it,  and  that  the  finding  of  it  by  Mr.  Sutter 
in  1847  should  have  been  regarded  as  a  new  discovery.  Phillips  probably  had  learned 
from  Spanish  priests  what  he  stated. 

In  November  Mr.  Wm.  Read,  who  had  served  the  Society  for  over  two  years  as  Curator 
of  Conchology,  resigned,  and  in  December  Mr.  William  Stimpson  was  elected  to  this 
office. 


BOSTON   SOCIETY   OF   NATURAL   HISTORY.  55 

In  reaching  the  end  of  the  second  decade  of  the  existence  of  the  Society,  some  men- 
tion will  now  be  made  of  what  has  not  been  Ix'fore  presented,  respecting  tlie  attendance 
of  members  at  the  meetings. 

In  the  year  ending  May,  18-41,  the  average  nmnber  was  about  11.  For  the  year  1842, 
12,  for  the  year  1848,  10,  for  the  year  1844,  11,  for  the  year  1845,  11,  for  the  year  1846, 
9,  for  the  year  1847,  11,  for  the  year  1848,  18,  for  the  year  1849,  18,  for  the  year  1850, 
25. 

It  should  be  borne  in  mind  that  meetings  were  held  then  in  the  summer  months  as  well 
as  at  other  seasons  of  the  year,  when  very  many  of  the  members  would  be  likely  to  be 
away  from  the  city.  The  average  attendaiice  from  this  cause,  was  unavoidably  less  than  it 
would  have  been  if  meetings  had  been  omitted  in  the  hot  season.  There  were,  however, 
very  rarely  more  than  from  fifteen  to  twenty  present  until  the  building  in  Mason  street 
was  occupied  by  the  Society.  The  average  attendance  then  increased  very  much,  as  the 
figures  show,  and  during  the  last  year  mentioned  it  had  more  than  doul)led  that  of  any 
one  of  the  first  seven,  and  it  was  not  uncommon  to  have  present  over  thirty  members. 
This  increased  attendance  arose  largely  from  the  interest  added  to  the  proceedings  by  the 
presence  of  such  distinguished  men  as  Agassiz,  Desor,  Wm.  B.  Rogers  and  othei-s,  who 
took  an  active  part  in  them.  Those  whose  names  appear  the  most  frequently  as  making 
communications  at  the  meetings  during  the  first  five  years  of  the  decade  are  Drs.  Gould, 
Storer,  Wyman,  Cabot,  S.  L.  Abbot,  C.  T.  Jackson,  J.  B.  S.  Jackson,  Binney,  and  Messrs. 
Teschemacher,  Emerson  and  Bouve  ;  during  the  last  five  years  Drs.  Gould,  Wyman,  C.  T. 
Jackson,  Storer,  Kneeland,  J.  B.  S.  Jackson,  Burnett,  Bacon  and  Cabot;  Profs.  Agassiz 
and  Rogers;  Messrs.  Teschemacher,  Desor,  J.  D.  Whitne}',  Ayres,  Alger  and  Bouve. 

Addresses  were  made  at  the  Annual  Meetings  of  1841,  1842,  1843,  1844,  1845,  1847, 
1848,  and  1850. 

Donations  were  made  to  the  several  departments  frequently,  but  to  less  extent  than 
during  the  first  ten  years.  The  collection  of  Hevp  otology  was  enriched  by  many  speci- 
mens from  Dr.  F.  W.  Cragin  of  Surinam  ;  that  of  Ornithology  by  many  from  Dr.  Cragin 
also,  and  l)y  some  from  Dr.  G.  A.  Bcthune  ;  that  of  Entomology  by  insects  from  Dr.  Sav- 
age of  Cape  Palmas ;  that  of  Mineralogy  by  about  200  fine  specimens  from  Francis  Alger ; 
that  of  Comparative  Anatomy  by  many  anatomical  preparations  from  Dr.  Jeffries  Wyman  ; 
and  that  of  Icthyology  by  fishes  from  J.  G.  Anthony  of  Cincinnati,  Dr.  F.  W.  Cragin  of 
Surinam,  and  Capt.  N.  E.  Atwood  of  Pi'ovincetown. 

The  American  Board  of  Commissioners  for  Foreign  Missions  presented  many  shells  and 
plants,  and  Dr.  Morton,  Rev.  Mr.  Bachman,  Mr.  Audubon  and  many  others,  presented 
books. 

The  increase  of  the  Library  during  the  ten  years  had  been  from  about  600  volumes  to 
upwards  of  3000. 

The  financial  condition  of  the  Society  was  not  much  better  than  at  the  commencement 
of  the  decade.  The  income  derived  from  assessments  and  from  the  funded  property  had 
sufficed  for  its  ordinary  expenditures,  and  there  remahied  a  small  balance  of  cash  in  the 
Treasury.  Yet  its  means  remained  far  from  adequate  to  provide  for  the  necessary  care 
and  preservation  of  its  collections. 


56  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 

In  1841,  the  Society  commenced  publishing  its  Proceedings,  and  the  fii'st  two  volumes 
with  a  large  part  of  the  third,  had  been  issued  before  the  annual  meeting  of  1850. 

The  Journal  of  the  Society  Avas  icsued  with  some  degree  of  regularity,  gaining  for  it 
much  reputation  both  at  home  and  abroad,  Ijy  the  character  of  its  articles.  At  the 
time  of  the  annual  meeting  in  1850,  five  volumes  had  been  published,  all  of  them 
containing  papers  of  great  value,  many  of  them  elaborate  treatises  upon  the  natural  pro- 
ductions of  our  own  State,  of  which  may  be  mentioned  those  on  the  Fishes  and  Reptiles 
of  Massachusetts,  l^y  Dr.  Storer ;  on  the  Lichens  of  New  England,  Ijy  Edward  Tucker- 
man,  Jr.;  on  the  Mosses  of  Massachusetts,  by  John  Lewis  Russell ;  on  the  Shells  of  Mass- 
achusetts, by  Dr.  Augustus  A.  Gould  and  by  Joseph  P.  Couthouy ;  and  on  the  Coleop- 
tera  of  Maine  and  Massachusetts,  by  Dr.  J.  W.  Randall. 

The  members  of  the  Standing  Committees  of  the  Council  during  the  ten  years  past, 
should  be  mentioned  here,  as  on  them  devolved  a  great  part  of  the  Ijusiness  of  the  So- 
ciety other  than  that  performed  in  the  Museum. 

They  were  the  Presidents,  Geo.  B.  Emerson  and  Amos  Binney,  Jr.;  the  Librarian, 
Charles  K.  Dillaway  ;  the  Treasurers,  John  Jas.  Dixwell  and  Patrick  T.  Jackson,  Jr.; 
with  Drs.  Harris,  Storer,  Gould,  Bacon,  Kneeland,  Abbot,  Cabot,  Wyman,  Shurtleff,  and 
Messrs.  Epes  S.  Dixwell  and  Thos.  Bulfinch. 

Dr.  Storer  served  on  two  of  these  Committees,  viz.,  those  of  Publication  and  the  Lib- 
rary during  the  whole  period,  and  several  of  the  others  a  great  part  of  the  time. 

Decade  IIL      May  1850 -May  1860. 

1850.  In  June,  a  letter  was  received  from  the  President  of  the  Society,  stating  that  he 
had  pi'ocured  through  the  American  Minister  at  the  Court  of  St.  James,  a  donation  from 
the  Hon.  East  India  Company  of  a  complete  suite  of  casts  from  the  fossils  of  the  Him- 
alaya Mountains.  These  were  received  in  the  following  November,  and  were  placed  in 
the  Cabinet  of  the  Society.  There  were  in  all  forty-one  specimens,  mostly  of  Mam- 
malia. The  collection  was  found  to  be  peculiarly  rich  in  Pachj'dermata,  especially 
mastodons  and  elephants.  Of  reptiles  there  were  casts  of  several  bones  of  a  gigantic 
turtle.  Upon  motion  made,  the  thanks  of  the  Society  were  passed  to  the  Hon.  East 
India  Company  for  the  very  valual)le  donation  made  by  them,  and  also  to  the  Hon. 
Abbot  Lawrence,  and  to  Sir  John  Richardson,  for  their  kind  offices  in  aiding  the  President 
to  secure  it. 

1851.  In  January  of  this  year,  two  xery  remarkable  Indian  children,  a  boy  and  a  girl, 
dwarfs,  were  exhibited  in  Boston  and  other  cities  of  the  United  States,  under  the  name  of 
the  Aztec  children.  Tliey  were  quite  small,  of  nearly  the  same  size,  and  having  much 
vivacity,  drew  the  attention  of  crowds  to  visit  them.  As  it  was  claimed  that  they  belonged 
to  a  race  of  similar  Ijcings  found  in  Central  America,  they  became  objects  of  scientific 
examination.  Dr.  J.  Mason  Warren,  after  studying  their  characteristics,  read  a  paper 
in  which  were  presented  his  conclusions  respecting  them,  viz.: 

1.  That  these  children  are  possessed  of  a  very  low  degree  of  mental  and  physical 
organization,  but  are  not  idiots  of  the  lowest  grade. 

2.  That  they  probably  originated  from  parents  belonging  to  some  of  the  mixed  Indian 
tribe.*!. 


BOSTON  SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  57 

3.  That  tlioy  do  not  belong  to  a  race  of  flwarfs,  because  history  teaches  the  truth,  of 
the  doctrine  of  Geoflroy  St.  Ilihiire,  that  dwarfs  cannot  perpetuate  their  Ivind. 

These  children  wex-e  subsequently  brought  before  the  Society,  and  being  placed  upon 
the  table,  the  meinljers  sitting  around,  amused  all  liy  their  interesting  and  lively  move- 
ments.    There  was  nothing  disagreeable  in  their  appearance  or  manners. 

The  views  of  Dr.  "Warren  were  fully  corroliorated  by  a  letter  received  from  Mr.  E.  G. 
Squier,  respecting  their  origin. 

At  the  annual  meeting  the  usual  reports  were  made,  the  several  departments  being  rep- 
resented as  in  good  condition.  That  of  Ornithology  had  received  valuable  donations  from 
Mrs.  G.  II.  Shaw,  Dr.  Henry  Bryant,  Mr.  J.  C.  Leighton,  Mr.  Theodore  Lyman  and  others  ; 
that  of  Geology  from  the  Hon.  East  India  Co.,  Dr.  C.  T.  Ja':!kson,  Messrs.  Moses  II.  Per- 
ley  and  Alexander  Vattemare ;  that  of  Ichthyology  from  Mr.  Horatio  R.  Storer,  Dr. 
Plenry  Bryant,  and  Dr.  Samuel  Kneeland,  Jr. 

The  Report  upon  the  department  of  Comparative  Anatomj^  was  unusually  full,  em])rac- 
ing  what  had.  not  before  been  presented  for  several  years.  From  it  is  learned  that  there 
were  in  the  collection  at  this  time,  73  complete  skeletons,  17  human  skulls,  and  l-iS  of 
animals,  including  l/irds  ;   85  jars  of  specimens  in  alcohol ;  and  25  stuffed  skins. 

The  Treasurer  reported  the  total  receipts  during  year,  $2218.59,  expenditures, 
$1714.54,  leaving  a  balance  of  $504.05  in  his  hands. 

The  Librarian  reported  the  addition  to  the  lil)rary  of  353  volumes,  and  130  pam- 
phlets, and  that  the  whole  numljer  of  volumes  in  the  Library  was  25G9,  including  59 
copies  of  the  Society's  Journal,  and  28  of  the  Proceedings ;  unbound  volumes  1280, 
including  80  Legislative  reports  on  the  natural  history  of  the  State ;  and  about  500 
pamphlets  or  parts  of  volumes.  The  number  of  volumes  in  circulation  during  the  year 
was  506. 

The  only  change  made  at  the  annual  election,  was  in  the  choice  of  Horatio  R.  Storer  as 
Curator  of  Ilerpetology  in  place  of  Prof  Jeffries  Wyman. 

1852.  The  Reports  of  the  Curators  at  the  annual  meeting  in  1852,  were  brief,  and 
excepting  that  upon  the  Crustacea  and  Radiata,  presented  but  little  of  interest.  The  collec- 
tion of  that  department  was  represented  to  have  suffered  very  seriously  from  the  attacks  of 
insects.  Almost  all  the  specimens  of  Crustacea  had  been  mutilated,  limbs  detached,  and  in 
some  cases  lost.  Many  very  valuable  species  had  been  entirel}'  destroyed.  Of  the  Radi- 
ata the  soft  parts  had  been  completely  consumed. 

The  Treasurer  reported  a  balance  of  $754.56  in  his  hands.  The  Librarian,  alluding  to 
the  fact  that  the  Smithsonian  Institution  at  Washington  had  made  such  arrangements  as 
to  enable  the  Society  hereafter  to  transmit  abroad,  and  to  receive  from  foreign  Societies, 
publications  at  little  expense,  recommended  a  more  liberal  exchange  of  our  Journal  and 
Proceedings,  for  the  works  of  such  Societies. 

Before  the  election  of  officers,  final  action  had  been  taken  upon  a  proposed  amendment 
to  the  Constitution,  by  which  the  numljer  of  Cux'atoi's  was  no  longer  limited.  In  July  of 
the  previous  year.  Dr.  Thomas  M.  Brewer  had  been  placed  in  charge  of  the  nests  and 
eggs  of  birds,  and  Mr.  W.  O.  Ayres  of  the  (Jrustacea  and  Radiata  of  the  Society, 
and  at  this  election  these  gentlemen  were  made  Curators  of  the  two  departments  re.spect- 
ively. 


58  HISTORICAL    SKETCH    OF    THE 

There  had  been  in  Feb.  1841,  a  department  established,  embracing  the  collections  of 
Crustacea  and  Radiata,  and'' Dr.  Amos  Binney,  Jr..  had  had  charge  of  it  for  several 
months,  when  it  appears  to  have  been  discontinued.  Other  changes  at  the  election  were 
as  follows : 

Mr.  Charles  Stodder  succeeded  Mr.  Chas.  C.  Sheafe  as  Cabinet  keeper.  Mr.  Charles  J. 
Sprague  was  chosen  Curator  of  Botany  in  place  of  Mr.  Jas.  E.  Teschemacher,  and  Dr. 
Silas  Durkec,  who  had  been  the  previous  July  elected  Curator  of  Ichthyology  in  room  of 
Mr.  W.  0.  Ayres,  was  rechosen  for  this  position. 

At  a  ineetino-  of  the  Council  in  Novemljer  of  this  A'ear,  Dr.  Storer,  as  a  Sub-committee  of 
the  Boston  Society  for  Medical  Improvement,  chosen  to  aid  Dr.  C.  E.  Brown-Sequard  in  his 
arrangements  for  delivering  a  course  of  lectures  on  Physiology,  submitted  a  proposition 
that  tlie  Society  be  advised  to  allow  the  use  of  the  library  room  for  such  lectures.  He 
spoke  of  the  high  scientific  character  of  Dr.  Brown-Seqnard  and  hoped  that  favoraljle  action 
might  be  taken  upon  the  proposition.  Dr.  Storer  mentioned  tliat  the  lectures  would  be  il- 
lustrated by  vivisections,  and  that  these  being  very  repugnant  to  his  feelings  he  could  not 
witness  them,  but  yet  on  account  of  the  addition  to  human  knowledge  which  miglit  result, 
he  should  favor  the  proposed  action  of  the  Council.  Strong  opposition  was  manifested  by 
a  number  of  the  members  of  the  Council,  particularly  Dr.  Kneeland,  Mr.  Bouve,  Mr.  Dill- 
away  and  Dr.  Abbot.  The  subject  was  finally  disposed  of  by  a  vote  declining  to  lay  the 
matter  before  the  Society,  on  the  ground  that  there  was  a  restriction  in  the  deed  of 
their  estate  forbidding  the  use  of  their  building  for  anatomical  purposes. 

1853.  In  February  of  tliis  year  tlie  Society  took  action  in  favor  of  the  prosecution  of 
a  geological  survey  of  Oregon  and  Nebraska,  by  passing  strong  resolutions  and  transmit- 
ting them  to  Congress,  reconmieuding  the  necessary  appropriations. 

At  the  annual  meeting  the  Curator  of  Botany  reported  great  improvement  in  the  collec- 
tion during  the  year.  The  previous  May  only  a  small  proportion  of  the  specimens  had 
been  systematically  arranged.  Large  Innulles  of  plants  from  France,  Italy,  the  Vo.sges 
mountains,  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  Florida  and  Kentucky,  were  in  the  same  condition 
as  when  received.  These  had  all  been  examined  and  provided  with  sheets  of  paper 
during  the  year. 

There  had  also  been  valu:il)le  donations,  one  from  the  Historical  Society,  of  a  large  num- 
ber of  plants  procured  many  years  ago  by  the  Hon.  Thos.  H.  Perkins.  A  package  of  New 
England  plants  collected  by  the  late  William  Oakes,  particularly  rich  in  Wliite  Mountain 
specimens,  had  been  purchased  by  the  Society.  The  Curator  had  olatained  over  a  hundred 
specimens  of  plants  growing  in  the  Botanic  Garden,  Cambridge,  through  the  kindness  of 
Piof  Gray,  many  of  them  being  new  and  unpublished  species  ffom  Texas  and  New  Mex- 
ico. The  entire  Ilerljarium  had  been  revised  and  sheets  provided  for  all  the  plants.  The 
genera  had  been  placed  in  manilla  paper  and  arranged  upon  the  shelves  according  to  End- 
licher's  Genera  Plantarum.  The  Herbarium  contained  representatives  of  1300  genera  and 
five  or  six  liiousaud  species.  Tlie  Curator  remarked  that  not  being  able  himself  to  collect 
specimens  away  from  the  immediate  neigliborhood,  he  would  be  glad  to  receive  the  assist- 
ance of  those  who  could,  particularly  in  obtaining  New  England  species. 

The  report  of  the  Curator  of  Botany  was  noticeable  as  showing  an  immense  amount  of 


BOSTON  SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL   HISTORY.  59 

work  done  in  one  year  upon  the  Herbarium  ;  work,  too,  that  was  not  only  desirable  in 
oi-der  to  make  the  collection  useful,  but  aljsohitely  necessary  to  prevent  its  destruction. 
It  was  tlie  first  of  a  series  of  years  during  which  Mr.  Charles  J.  Spragne  devoted  almost 
all  his  leisure  afternoons  and  liolidays  to  bringing  order  out  of  disorder,  with  the  view  of 
making  available  many  thousand  species  before  inaccessible  to  examination,  and  of  pre- 
serving the  plants  and  increasing  the  collection. 

The  report  of  the  Treasurer  exhil^ited  a  Ijalance  of  $1102.09  in  his  hands,  including  that 
belonging  to  the  Courtis  fund. 

Upon  the  election  of  officers  Dr.  J.  B.  8.  Jackson  was  chosen  Curator  of  Crustacea  and 
Eadiata,  hi  place  of  Mr.  W.  0.  Ayres,  and  Mr.  T.  J.  Whittemore,  Curator  of  Couchology? 
in  place  of  Mr.  William  Stimpson. 

At  this  meeting  a  motion  was  made  by  Mr.  Bouve  and  adopted,  that  a  committee  be  ap- 
pointed to  take  measures,  if  decided  expedient  by  them,  for  the  purchase  of  the  collec- 
tion of  Ornithichnites,  so  called,  belonging  to  the  estate  of  the  late  Mr.  Marsh,  of  Green- 
field. 

The  committee,  consisting  of  Mr.  James  M.  Barnard,  Mr.  Fi-ancis  Alger,  Dr.  Brewer  and 
Mr.  Bouve,  feeling  the  great  importance  of  securing  for  the  Society  the  collection  soon  to 
be  disposed  of  at  auction,  obtained  by  subscription  a  considerable  sum  towards  its  purchase, 
and  detailed  two  of  their  number.  Mr.  Alger  and  Mr.  Bouve,  to  be  present  at  the  sale. 
They  attended  and  bought  a  large  part  of  the  wdiole  for  about  $1400.  Tluis  the  Society 
liecame  the  possessor  of  several  of  the  large  and  valuable  slabs  covered  with  footprints, 
which  now  adorn  the  entrance  hall  of  the  Museum,  and  of  many  other  specimens  contained 
in  the  Cabinet.  One  of  these,  Prof  Hitchcock  of  Amherst  College  pronounced  the  best 
and  largest  slab  of  fossil  footprints  ever  found,  or  that  in  his  opinion  ever  would  be  found. 

'J'he  President  had  prepared  an  address  for  the  annual  meeting,  but  was  prevented  by 
ill  health  from  delivering  it.  It  was,  however,  subsequently  printed  and  distributed.  In 
it  was  given  an  account  of  the  early  efforts  made  in  Boston  to  encourage  the  study  of  nat- 
ural history,  which  finally  cuhuinated  in  the  formation  of  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural 
llistorv.  As  there  had  been  no  previous  annual  address  since  1850,  a  statement  was  ap- 
pended giving  an  account  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Society  during  the  three  years  since 
that  date. 

In  November,  by  invitation.  President  Hitchcock  of  Amherst  College  addressed  the 
Society,  giving  some  of  the  results  of  his  examinations  in  the  Connecticut  Valley.  His 
remarks  were  replete  with  interest  and  instruction,  and  were  followed  l)y  some  on  the 
same  subject  by  Prof  Henry  D.  Rogers.  The  views  presented  may  be  fouud  in  the  pub- 
lished Proceedings. 

In  December  of  this  year,  the  death  of  Mr.  James  E.  Teschemacher,  long  an  active  and 
very  useful  member  of  tlie  Society,  was  announced,  and  the  Prt'si<leul  was  recpiested  to 
(h'aw  i\\)  such  i^esolutions  in  reference  to  this  event,  as  should  l)e  judged  projier  Ijy  him. 
In  accordance  with  this  request,  he  presented  at  the  next  succeeding  meeting,  a  notice  of 
his  life  and  writings,  much  of  which  is  given  here  as  follows : 

"  Our  Society  has  experienced  a  great  loss  in  the  death  of  Mr.  Tesclu'niacher.  one  of  its 
most  valuable  members,  and  we  must  turn  aside  a  moment  [\\nn  the  path  of  science  to 
})ay  a  tribute  to  his  memory.  Tliis  gentleman,  who  joined  our  Society  in  the  year  1835. 
and  has  since  that  time   been   an  able  associate   in   our  labors,  and  a  large  contributor  to 


GO  HISTORICAL   SKETCH   OF  THE 

the  advancement  of  science  in  our  country,  has  suddenly  terminated  his  mortal  career  at 
the  age  of  fiixty-three,  from  a  disease  of  the  heart." 

These  remarks  were  followed  by  resolutions,  one  of  wliich  exjiresses  "That  a  record  be 
made  in  our  transactions  of  llic  liiuh  estimation  in  wiiicli  we  hold  the  private  qualities 
and  scientific  labors  of  Mr.  Teschemacher,  as  manifested  in  his  excellent  papers  on  bot- 
any, mineralogy,  some  departments  of  geology,  and  particularly  in  his  able  and  practical 
investigations  of  tiie  carboniferous  formations.  We  also  regard  his  productions  in  tlie 
composition  and  ini|)i-ovenient  of  soils,  as  a  valuable  and  permanent  contribution  to  the 
agriculture  of  tlie  country." 

A  brief  notice  of  Mr.  Teschenuicher  was  then  read,  and  is  here  given. 

"  James  Engelbert  Teschemacher,  of  Hanoverian  extraction  on  the  paternal  .side,  was 
born  in  Nottingham,  England,  on  the  11th  of  June,  1790.  At  the  age  of  fourteen  he 
commenced  his  commercial  career  in  a  mercantile  foreign  house  of  eminence  in  Loudon, 
where  he  evinced  application  and  business  talents  of  a  high  order;  and  amid  the  extensive 
transactions  of  mercantile  life,  in  which  during  a  long  series  of  years,  he  was  engaged, 
his  fine  comprehensive  mind  ever  remained  unshackled  by  any  of  the  less  elevating 
liabits  sometimes  contracted  in  commercial  pursuits.  At  an  early  period  of  his  life  he 
indjibed  a  taste  for  studying  out  of  Nature's  beautiful  book,  thus  ac(iuiring  that  purity 
and  love  of  truth,  so  constantly  pervading  all  his  thoughts  and  writings.  In  the  year 
18.30,  Mr.  Teschemacher  accepted  the  olfer  of  a  partnership  in  a  house  of  considerable 
standing  in  Havana,  and  proceeded  to  Cuba  with  highly  advantageous  prospects,  but  these 
faded  on  his  approach,  and  he  returned  to  England.  After  a  short  time,  he  made  up  his 
mind  to  repair  to  the  United  States  with  his  fomily,  reaching  New  York  Feb.  7,  18.32. 
He  finally  settled  in  Boston,  where  during  the  space  of  twenty-two  years  he  was  unre- 
mitting in  his  exertions  for  his  family.  Of  his  untiring  zeal  and  devotion  to  science,  we 
need  not  speak  ;  his  hours  of  leisure,  it  may  naturally  be  inferred,  were  few.  but  tho.se 
few  were  employed  (apparently  as  a  recreation)  in  the  severe  branches  of  study  which 
iVcfiucntl}-  form  the  labor  of  a  life,  even  with  those  who  make  science  their  occupation. 
Truly  may  he  be  said  to  have  improved  the  talents  committed  to  his  charge." 

To  what  was  said  of  Mr.  Teschemacher  at  the  meeting,  may  ])e  added  that  he  was* 
engaged  dnily  in  active  business  through  all  the  years  of  his  connection  with  the  Society, 
but  yet  found  time  to  do  considerable  work  lor  it  while  Curator  of  Botany.  In  order  to 
.secure  time  for  this,  he  was  accustomed  to  visit  the  rooms  of  the  Society,  after  an  early 
breakfixst,  and  stay  until  business  requiri'd  his  presence  perhaps  an  hour  later.  The  pub- 
lished Proceedings  of  the  Society  attest  to  his  interest  in  the  meetings,  and  the  character 
of  the  connnunications  made  by  him  to  the  value  of  his  observations,  and  to  the  extent  of 
his  scientific  knowledge.  He  was  an  excellent  mineralogist,  a  good  botanist,  and  a 
very  accurate  observer  in  botii  lields.  One  could  not  very  well  be  a  more  careful  and 
painstaking  investigator.  Ibid  he  been  able  to  devote  more  time  to  scientific  pursuits,  he 
would  undoubtedly  have  accomplished  niuch  more  than  he  did  in  this  direction,  as  he 
lacked  neither  ability,  industry  nor  perseverance. 

Besides  ])apers  to  be  found  in  the  i)rinted  Proceedings  of  the  Society  and  in  its  Journal, 
several  addresses  by  him  Avere  published.  One  before  the  Society  at  its  annual  meeting 
in  1841,  one  before  the  Horticultui'al  Society,  and  one  before  the  Harvard  Natural  Hist- 
ory Society. 


BOSTON   SOCIETY   OF  NATURAL   HISTORY.  f;i 

1854.  A  vote  passed  by  the  Society  in  Mai'ch  of  this  year,  shows  that  the  ineinbers 
Avere  ah-eadv  indulging  the  liope  of  yet  better  acconmiodations  than  those  of  tlie  struc- 
ture so  recently  purchased  and  ada})ted  for  their  use.  A  thousand  dolhii's  having  Ijeen 
received  from  the  estate  of  the  late  lion.  Thos.  H.  Perkins,  subscribed  by  him  towards  the 
building  now  occupied  by  the  Society,  but  not  so  appropriated,  it  was  ordered  that  this 
sum  be  invested  by  the  Treasurer  as  a  eomineucement  of  a  fund  to  be  called  the  Building 
Fund,  and  that  the  income  from  it  be  annually  added  to  the  principal. 

The  Society  had  an  opjiortunity  at  this  time  to  perform  a  graceful  act  in  helping  tlieir 
unfortunate  brethren  of  the  Portland  Society  of  Natural  History,  which  had  lately  lost  the 
whole  of  its  valuable  collection  by  fire.  A  vote  was  passed,  that  a  complete  set  of  the 
Journal  of  the  Society  be  presented  to  the  Portland  Society,  and  another,  tliat  a  series  of 
duplicate  shells  belonging  to  this  Society,  be  presented  to  the  Portland  Society,  whenever 
they  are  jjrepared  to  select  and  receive  them. 

It  is  sad  to  know  that  by  a  second  great  fire  a  few  years  afterwards,  the  recip'.ents  of 
these  donations  again  lost  their  entire  collection. 

At  the  annual  meeting  the  Reports  of  the  Curators  Avere  quite  satisflictory,  though  the 
donations  through  the  year  Avei'e  not  numerous. 

The  Botanical  department  had  received  some  additions  of  value  from  Prof.  Asa  Gray, 
Mr.  B.  F.  Kendall  and  the  Curator.  These,  with  others  obtained  by  exchange,  had 
added  about  800  specimens  to  the  collection. 

The  department  of  Oology  Avas  reported  as  uoav  having  about  240  specimens  of  eggs, 
belonging  to  165  species. 

The  department  of  Geology  had  been  enriched  by  the  splendid  collection  of  the  Foot- 
marks of  Animals  upon  the  Red  Sandstone  of  the  Connecticut  Valley,  obtained  by 
purchase,  and  by  the  donation  to  it  of  a  series  of  Silurian  fossils. 

The  Curator  of  Ilerpetology  reported  that  this  department  now  contained  aljout  480 
specimens,  of  Avhich  50  Avere  Chelonians,  227  Serpents,  122  Saurians,  and  81  Batracliians. 

The  Librarian  reported  a  considerable  increase  of  bound  volumes  and  pamphlets. 
Among  the  most  valuable  AA'orks  presented  to  the  Society  Avas  tlie  splendid  one  by 
Geoffroy  St.  Hilaire  and  Cuvier,  entitled  ''  Ilistoire  Naturelle  des  Mammiferes,"  three 
volumes  finely  bound,  from  the  Hon.  Francis  C.  Gray. 

Upon  the  election  of  officers  for  the  ensuing  year,  Dr.  Samuel  L.  Abbot  Avas  chosen  Cor- 
responding Secretary  in  place  of  Mr.  J.  Elliot  Cabot;  Dr.  Beuj.  S.  Shaw,  Recording  Sec- 
retary, in  place  of  Dr.  Samuel  L.  Abbot ;  Dr.  Henry  Bryant,  Ciu'ator  of  Ornithology,  in 
place  of  Dr.  Samuel  Cabot,  Jr.;  Dr.  Jeflries  Wyman,  Curator  of  Ilerpetology,  in  place  of 
Dr.  Horatio  R.  Storer. 

This  year  the  Society  lost  one  of  its  most  useful  and  active  members,  and  science  one 
of  its  most  ardent  votaries,  in  the  death  of  Dr.  Waldo  Irving  Burnett.  To  characterize 
his  a))ility  as  AA'onderful,  and  his  achievements  as  extraordinary,  is  to  speak  moderately  of 
one  Avho  in  the  short  life  allotted  him  had  manifested  such  knowledge,  and  accomplished 
so  much  in  scientific  research.  To  express  all  concerning  him  that  his  memory  deserves, 
Avould  require  too  much  s])ace  for  this  aoIuuu*  ;  but  the  reader  wlio  may  desire  to  learn 
more  than  is  here   presented,  Avill  find   a   full   and   delightful  triljute  to  his  Avorth  and  ser- 


62  HISTORICAL  SKETCH   OF   TIIK 

vices,  prepared  at  the  request   of  the  Society,  l^y  Dr.  Jeflries  Wyman.  and   published  in 
the  fifth  voliune  of  its  Proceedings.     What  follows  is  ))ut  a  l)rief  abstract  of  this  paper. 

Widdo  Irving  Burnett  was  boi-n  in  Soiithboro',  Mass..  July  ll^.  1828.  He  early  uiaui- 
fested  a  strong  love  of  study,  and  became  so  uuich  absorbed  in  tliat  ol'  insect  lift;  as  to 
cause  a  fear  on  the  \ydvt  of  his  father,  who  was  a  distinguished  ])hysician,  that  his  health 
would  suller,  aud  lie  was  therefore  subjected  to  some  restraint.  The  passion  for  investiga- 
tion wMs,  however,  too  strong  to  be  more  than  temporarily  checked.  I  lis  mental  activity 
was  reiuarkable,  enabling  him  to  master  all  the  studies  of  the  academy  where  he  was 
placed,  with  ease.  In  mathenuitics  he  became  so  efficient  as  to  lead  the  teacher  to  confess 
that  he  was  no  longer  able  to  instruct  him.  Later  he  became  familiar  with  the  French, 
Spanish  and  Gennan  languages,  and  had  made  progress  in  the  Swedish. 

At  sixteen  years  of  age  he  manifested  a  strong  inclination  to  learn  the  nature  of  things, 
and  became  interested  in  all  that  claimed  to  give  an  explanation  of  the  phenomena  wit- 
nessed about  him.  He  had.  young  as  he  was,  commenced  the  study  of  medicine  with  his 
father,  accompan^-ing  him  on  professional  visits  and  being  present  at  examinations  of  bod- 
ies after  death.  His  father  died  when  he  was  of  the  age  mentioned,  and  he  afterwards 
studied  with  Dr.  Joseph  Sargent  of  Worcester,  in  the  Tremont  Medical  School  of  Boston, 
and  in  the  Massachusetts  General  Hospital.     He  did  not  receive  a  collegiate  education. 

In  1849,  at  the  age  of  twenty-one,  he  graduated  in  medicine,  and  soon  after  visited 
Europe,  where  he  spent  much  of  his  time  in  attention  to  natural  history  and  microscopic 
observations.  There  the  symptoms  of  disease  manifested  themselves,  and  lie  returned  to 
the  United  States -W'ith  the  hope  thjit  the  climate  of  the  more  southern  portion  would  be 
beneficial.  For  several  years  he  was  obliged  by  increasing  illness  to  pass  his  winters  in 
the  South,  but  wherever  he  w'as  he  kept  incessantly  at  work,  accomplishing  more  than  it 
would  be  possible  for  many  well  men  to  do,  in  investigation  with  the  microscope  ;  in  wri- 
ting the  results  of  bis  investigations  ;  and  in  giving  lectures  on  microscopic  anatomy. 

While  a  medical  student  he  became  an  active  member  of  our  Society,  and  soon  after  Cu- 
rator of  Entomology.  He  also  was  admitted  at  the  early  age  of  twenty-three  to  the 
American  Academy  of  Arts  and  Sciences. 

His  eominunications  to  difierent  scieiitilic  Ixxlies  and  i(uiruals,  considering  the  circum- 
stances of  his  waning  health  and  frequent  travel,  were  astonishingly  numerous  and  mani- 
fested a  degree  of  activity,  mental  and  Ixjdily,  tliat  few  could  exert.  Many  of  these  com- 
uiunicatioiis  may  be  found  in  the  Journal  and  in  the  Proceedings  of  the  Societv. 

To  a  speculative  and  iiuiniring  mind  like  that  of  Dr.  IJuruett's.  there  would  of  necessity 
arise  questions  of  perplexing  eliaracter  involved  in  the  problem  of  life,  and  doubts  did 
arise  of  a  disturbing  nature,  which  however,  w"ere  alterwards  rei)laced  by  a  settled  and 
firm  conviction,  that  if  there  was  much  to  live  for,  and  no  man  valued  life  more,  there  was 
still  more  to  die  for.  He  passed  away  on  July  1,  shortly  before  he  completed  his  twenty- 
sixth  year. 

liesolutions,  expressive  of  the  great  less  the  Society  had  sustained  b\-  his  death,  and  of 
condolence  with  his  family,  were  passed  by  the  Society. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Council  in  November,  the  Cabinet  keeper  exhibited  several  cases 
of  insects  destroyed  \>\  the  pests  that  linally  caused  the  great  loss  of  uearlj-  all  the  valua- 
ble collection. 


BOSTON   SOCIETY   OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  63 

1S50.  In  the  duiiigs  of  the"  amiual  meethig  t!iis  year,  we  find  some  evidence  to  show 
that  the  hxck  of  proper  accommodation  for  specimens  was  ah'eady  felt  in  the  Ijiiilding  so 
iovonsly  taken  possession  of  scarcely  eight  years  before.  It  was  not  entirely  from  Avant  of 
sufficient  room,  but  partly  from  the  fact  that  there  was  more  need  of  air  and  sunlight  for 
the  best  good  of  the  Museum.  The  Curator  of  Comparative  Anatomy  mentioned  that  the 
collections  in  his  department  had  been  injured  by  dampness  in  the  cases.  This  evil  he 
ascribed  to  the  external  circumstances  of  the  building,  for  which  there  seemed  no  remedy 
so  louir  as  it  should  be  screened  from  the  light  and  heat  of  the  sun,  and  from  free  ventila- 
tion. 

The  Curator  of  Ornithology  reported  some  donations  to  his  department,  the  principal  of 
which  were  41  specimens  from  Dr.  F.  J.  Bumstead,  11  from  Mr.  C.  J.  F.  Binney,  10  from 
Mr.  E.  Samuels  and  8  from  Mr.  Thure  Kumlein.  He  mentioned  that  he  had  commenced  a 
catalogue  of  the  specimens,  but  from  the  limited  number  of  the  books  of  reference  feared 
he  would  not  be  able  to  perfect  it. 

The  Curator  of  Oology  reported  that  the  collection  now  contained  209  ascertained  spe- 
cies, 10  of  which  had  been  added  during  the  year. 

The  Curator  of  Botany  stated  that  the  collection  under  his  charge  was  in  excellent  con- 
dition and  that  several  hundred  species  of  native  and  foreign  plants  had  been  added  to  the 
collection  during  the  year,  some  of  the  most  valual^le  of  which  came  from  I.  A.  Lapliam, 
Esq.,  of  Wisconsin,  and  from  Prof.  Gray. 

Several  of  the  Curators  made  no  reports. 

The  Librarian  gave  the  wdiole  number  of  books  now. possessed  by  the  Society,  as  about 
3500.  He  complained  that  books  were  frequently  taken  away  from  the  librar}'  in  his 
absence,  sometimes  without  entering  them  in  the  record  book,  and  though  these  w^ere 
generally  returned,  there  had  jjeen  some  loss.  He  did  not  know  w'here  to  loolv  for  the 
property.  He  also  stated  that  since  the  erection  of  the  new  theatre  next  to  our  building, 
the  room  had  become  dark  and  damp,  uncomfortable  to  those  occupying  it,  and  injurious 
to  the  books.  He  thought  if  there  was  no  prospect  of  having  a  new  building,  the  inter- 
ests of  the  Society  would  require  Ijetter  accommodations  for  its  books,  and  for  those  usiug 
them.  Some  alterations  were  subsequently  made  by  placing  windows  where  none  were 
before,  which  considerably  improved  the  room. 

The  Treasurer  reported  receipts  from  all  sources,  $1,950.39;  expenditures  $l,65li. 18, 
leaving  a  cash  balance  in  his  hands  of  |298.21. 

At  the  election  of  officers,  Dr.  Jefiries  Wyman  was  chosen  Curator  of  Comparative  An- 
atomy and  Mammals,  in  place  of  Dr.  Samuel  Kneeland,  Jr.;  Dr.  J.  P.  Reynolds,  Curator 
of  Crustacea  and  Radiata,  in  place  of  Dr.  J.  B.  S.  Jackson;  Dr.  J.  Nelson  Borland,  Cura- 
tor of  Herpetology,  in  place  of  Dr.  Jeffries  W3anan;  and  Dr.  H.  K.  Oliver,  Jr.,  Curator  of 
Entomology,  in  place  of  Dr.  Waldo  I.  Burnett,  deceased. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Council  there  was  a)i  appropriation  made  of  $100  for  a  Card  Cata- 
logue of  the  books  and  pamphlets,  none  having  been  provided  previously. 

In  the  death  of  jNIr.  James  Brown,  which  occurred  in  March  of  this  3^car,  the  So- 
ciety lost  one  of  its  best  friends  and  patrons,  one  to  whose  memory  is  due  some  notice 
of  his  life  and  character.  He  was  born  in  Acton,  Mass.,  in  1800,  and  when  a  young  man 
was  poor,  but  highly  respected  for  his  industry  and  fidelity.     He  began  business  as  a  pub- 


64  HISTORICAL   SKETCH   OF   THE 

Usher  of  books  in  Cambridge,  but  not  long  afterwards  became  an  active  partner  in  the 
firm  of  Little  &  Brown,  in  Boston,  a  house  which  soon  became  well  known  all  over  the 
country  for  its  publications,  and  for  its  high  character.  The  business  was  very  successful, 
and  by  it  Mr.  Brown  became  possessed  of  considerable  wealth,  through  which  he  was 
enabled  to  gratify  his  taste,  and  to  contribute  much  to  the  welfare  of  others.  He  keenly 
enjoyed  the  beautiful  in  Nature,  and  became  much  interested  in  the  study  of  Ornithology, 
in  which  department  of  natural  history  he  possessed  a  valual)le  librar^^ 

He  bequeathed  to  the  Society  this  liljrary,  or  the  most  valuable  part  of  it,  and  through 
this  bequest  it  became  the  owner  of  tlie  works  most  wanted,  which  could  not  otlicrwise 
perhaps,  have  been  obtained,  their  cost  being  probably  not  less  than  |2000.  Mr.  Dil- 
laway,  the  libi'arian,  made  some  remarks  when  announcing  this  valual)le  accession  to  the 
library',  and  of  which  part  are  here  given.  He  said,  "  This  is  not  the  first  thne  we  liave 
been  indebted  to  the  liberality  of  Mr.  Brown.  On  many  occasions  his  purse  and  his 
influence  have  been  freely  offered  in  aid  of  our  eflbrts  for  the  promotion  of  natural  sci- 
ence. In  the  list  of  our  patrons,  numbering  eighty  of  the  most  liberal  and  pvd)lic  spirited 
citizens  of  Boston,  his  name  now  stands  among  the  first.  As  my  acquaintance  with  him 
has  been  a  long  one,  commencing  at  a  time  when  his  whole  property  could  not  have 
purchased  one  of  the  volumes  he  has  bequeathed  to  us — when  industry,  integrity  and  a 
generous  heart  were  all  his  capital,  and  reaching  to  a  period  when  he  Avas  able  and  willing 
to  give  his  thousands  to  the  promotion  of  literary,  scientific  and  charitahle  objects,  I 
may  be  permitted  to  express  a  belief  tliat  Boston  has  lost  a  citizen  of  whom  she  had  good 
reason  to  be  proud,  and  our  Society  a  valued  friend,  whose  memory  we  shall  ever  hold 
in  honor." 

The  Society  appointed  a  committee  to  prepare  resolutions  suital)le  for  the  occasion, 
which  were  presented  and  adopted  at  a  subsequent  meeting.  A  vote  of  thanks  w\as  also 
passed  to  Mrs.  Brown,  for  her  generous  donation  of  a  portrait  of  the  distinguished  Nat- 
uralist, Thos.  Nuttall. 

185G.  In  February  of  this  year,  it  was  announced  that  the  Society  had  lost  by  death, 
two  of  its  oldest  and  most  highly  esteemed  members.  Dr.  Thaddeus  W.  Harris  of  Cam- 
bridge, and  the  Rev.  Zadock  Thompson  of  Burlington,  Vt.  Their  services  to  the  Society 
and  to  science  generally  merit  notice  in  these  pages,  and  this  will  be  given  by  reporting  the 
action  taken  at  the  meetings  following  the  announcement. 

Prof  JefTries  Wyman,  in  behalf  of  a  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  resolutions 
expressive  of  the  loss  the  Society  had  sustained  in  the  death  of  their  late  member, 
Dr.  Thaddeus  William  Harris  of  Cambridge,  offered  the  following,  which  were  unanimously 
adopted : — 

"■Resolved,  That  the  members  of  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History  have  learned 
with  deep  regret,  the  death  of  their  late  associate,  Dr.  Thaddeus  William  Harris.  That 
in  his  death,  the  Society  has  lost  one  of  its  earliest  and  most  respected  members,  science 
a  faithful  aud  zealous  stuilent  as  well  as  a  conscientious  observer,  the  results  of  whose 
labors  have  eminently  contributed  to  the  extension  of  the  knowledge  of  natural  history ; 
and  have  reflected  dignity  and  honor  upon  American  science. 

'•liesofced,  That  the  members  of  this  Society  sympathize  with  his  family  in  the  loss  they 
have  sustained  in  his  death." 


BOSTON  SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  65 

Prof.  Wyman  in  presenting  the  resolutions,  referred  to  Dr.  Harris's  wide  reputiition  as 
a  naturalist  at  home  and  abroad,  and  to  his  scientific  lal)ors.  He  spoke  of  his  researches 
as  cliielly  conlined  to  entomology,  though  he  had  an  extensive  knowledge  of  other 
departments  of  natural  history,  especially  botany.  As  an  entomologist  he  ranked 
among  those,  comparatively  few  in  number,  who  with  a  strong  knowledge  of  classification, 
combined  the  faculty  of  correctly  observing  and  accurately  recording  the  habits  of 
iiisects.  His  very  valuable  report  to  the  Legislature  of  Massachusetts  on  Insects  injuri- 
ous to  Vegetation,  is  an  admiral)le  testimonial  of  his  industry  and  patience,  his  powers  of 
observation,  and  his  happy  manner  of  portraying  the  subject  of  his  thoughts.  At  the 
time  of  his  death  he  was  engaged  in  an  investigation  of  the  origin  of  some  of  the  culti- 
vated plants,  and  their  subsequent  distribution  by  human  agency  over  the  world. 

In  relation  to  the  Rev.  Zadock  Thompson,  Prof  Wm.  B.  Rogers  addressed  the  meeting,- 
speaking  of  him  as  a  thorough  and  persevering  worker  in  geology,  and  as  possessing  a 
large  amount  of  accurate  practical  knowledge  on  the  subject. 

Dr.  Samuel  Kneeland  read  a  sketch  of  Mr.  Thompson's  life,  of  which  the  following  is 
an  aljstract.  He  Avas  born  in  Bridgewater,  Vt.,  in  179G,  and  at  an  earl\'  period  showed  a 
strong  propensity  for  observing  facts  in  natural  science,  and  for  mathematical  a^^plications. 
He  graduated  at  the  University  of  Vermont  in  1823,  and  afterwards  was  occasionally 
occupied  as  a  teacher.  His  chief  labors  were  those  of  independent  investigations  into  the 
resources  of  his  native  state.  He  wrote  the  History  of  Vermont,  and  there!)}'  became 
extensively  and  honorably  known.  In  18-33  he  was  appointed  State  Naturalist,  making  it 
liis  duty  to  study  its  physical  geography,  geology,  mineralogy,  botany  and  zoology. 
On  this  work  he  entered  Avith  zeal,  and  had  fiir  advanced  towards  its  completion,  wheu 
his  labors  were  closed  by  death. 

Mr.  Thompson  delivered  the  annual  address  before  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural 
History,  in  June,  1850,  on  tlie  Geology  of  Vermont.  He  made  several  communications 
to  the  Society,  and  througli  his  instrumentality  many  specimens  were  added  to  the  Cab- 
inet. 

In  view  of  these  facts  it  seemed  proper  that  the  Society  should  take  special  notice  of 
liis  deatli.  Dr.  Kneeland,  therefore  after  his  remarks,  moved  the  following  resolution, 
which  was  unanimously  adopted  : 

"  Resolved :  That  in  the  death  of  the  Rev.  Zadock  Thompson,  the  Boston  So(uety  of 
Natural  History  has  lost  a  valued  friend,  a  distinguislied  member,  and  a  sincere  and  truth- 
ful co-worker  in  the  various  departments  of  natural  science." 

It  is  certainly  not  a  little  singular  that  the  next  event  to  be  dwelt  upon  here  is  the 
death  of  the  venerable  President  of  the  Society,  which  occurred  on  tlie  4ih  of  May. 
Upon  the  5th,  a  special  meeting  of  the  Society  was  called  to  take  measures  appropriate  to 
the  occasion,  and  a  committee  was  appointed  to  prepare  resolutions.  It  was  also  voted  to 
attend  the  funeral  of  the  late  President,  and  to  meet  at  the  rooms  of  tlie  Society  lor  that 
])urpose,  on  the  morning  of  the  7th  inst. 

At  tlie  anni;al  meeting,  May  7th,  Dr.  Chas.  T.  Jackson,  ^'ice-President,  in  the  Chair, 
Dr.  D.  H.  Storer,  on  behalf  of  the  committee  appointed  to  prepare  a  series  of  i-esolutious 
expressive  of  the  deep  sense  of  regret  which  the  Society  experienced  in  its  recent  bereave- 
ment, read  the  following  report,  which  together  with  the  resolutions,  was  adopted. 


66  HISTORICAL    SKETCH    OF    THE 

Mr.  President  and  Gentlemen  :  — We  are  again  called  upon  to  mourn  ;  we  meet  here  to 
sympathize  in  our  connnon  sorrow.  Science  has  lost  a  true  friend  ;  her  votaries,  we 
would  reverently  bow  to  the  stroke,  while  we  deeply  feel  and  gratefully  acknowledge  the 
goodness  which  so  long  averted  the  blow.  Ho,  who  for  the  nine  years  has  presided  over 
this  institution  with  paternal  solicitude — who  has  performed  every  duty  devolving  upon 
him  with  the  greatest  cheerfulness,  with  unsurpassed  iidelity — who  with  the  entliusiasm  of 
youth,  Avould  not  allow  the  most  inclement  night  of  the  last  most  in('lement  season  to 
prevent  liis  atleiidance  at  your  meetings — but  who  was  ever  here  to  encourage  you  by  his 
presence  to  increased  exertion — has  accomplished  his  work.     He  has  left  us  forever. 

lie  needs  no  fulsome  eidogy.  Ilis  claims  upon  the  respectful  and  lasting  remembrance 
of  his  professional  brethren  have  already,  elsewhere,  been  most  eloquently  portrayed. 
The  debt  we  owe  his  memory  can  never  be  repaid ;  but,  as  naturalists,  that  debt  we 
should  recognize. 

Upon  the  death  of  Dr.  Amos  Binney,  our  much  loved  President.  Dr.  Warren  was  se- 
lected to  succeed  him.  From  the  day  of  his  appointment  his  interest  never  flagged, 
but  increased  with  his  advancing  ^^ears. 

Ilis  first  great  desire  was  to  see  our  valuable  collection  disjjlaycd  in  a  more  safe  and 
commodious  building — to  accomplish  wiiich  his  efforts  were  indefatigable.  A  large  por- 
tion of  the  means  required  to  purchase  our  present  acconunodations,  was  procured  di- 
rectly by  him,  and  Init  for  the  influence  he  was  enabled  to  exert  in  his  social  relations, 
we  could  hardly  have  succeeded  in  our  attempt. 

Dr.  Warren's  hibors  were  ])rincipally  directed  to  the  great  object  of  exciting  and  keep- 
ing alive  a  taste  for  natural  history,  by  constantly  presenting  its  wonders  to  such  minds 
as  he  thought  susceptible  of  being  thus  inlluenccd. 

He  delighted  to  gather  around  him  those  whose  tastes  Avere  congenial  —  to  enjoy  with 
such  the  beauties  of  his  country  seat  —  to  extend  its  hosjiitalities.  How  many  of  us  have 
been  made  the  happier  by  his  yearly  festival ! 

He  has,  however,  done  more  than  this.  Three  years  since  he  prepared  an  address, 
which  was  published,  presenting  a  history  of  the  Society  fnnn  its  foundation.  He  became 
exceedingly  interested  in  ]ialaeontology  —  he  exerted  himself  to  assist  in  procuring  the 
maffuificeut  slabs,  containinic  tlie  ornilhiclniites  from  the  Connecticut  River,  which  orna- 
ment  our  vestibule.  He  also  nuide  a  most  valuable  private  collection  of  these  footprints, 
and  two  years  ago  described  some  of  the  most  striking  of  them  in  a  small  volume,  with 
the  title,  "  Remarks  on  some  Fossil  Impressions  in  the  Sandstone  Rocks  of  Connecticut 
River."  At  a  great  expen.se  lie  purchased  tlie  most  perfect  skeleton  of  the  Mastodon 
gifjanteus  now  known  to  exist;  and  his  elaborate  work  upon  that  subject  will  ever  re- 
main a  monument  to  his  zeal,  his  industry,  his  muuiflcence. 

Just  previous  to  his  decease,  he  had  prejiared  a  paper  on  the  animal  of  the  Ai-gonauta, 
all  the  available  species  of  which  genus  he  liad  collected,  described  and  figured.  This 
memoir  he  had  completed,  the  last  page  of  uuumscript  having  been  corrected  l)y  him 
within  a  week  of  his  death. 

This  was  his  last  labor — his  d^'ing  legacy  to  science.  Let  us  cherish  his  memory  ;  and 
upon  this  occasion,  upon  this  altar,  renew  our  devotion. 


'^'///  (  ,//; 


/  /■'  /  /'/^ 


rno,-f:s.,o,,  0f-A,,jTOAn-4i.-D  smc.fj^j-  i.r  ju,r.-.„a>  r-v/i/7,v-/rr  /7v. ..,  ;«,;  rr. 


BOSTON   SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL   HISTORY.  67 

In  compliance  witli  the  duty  devolving  np(jn  us,  we  would  present  the  following  reso- 
lutions : 

Resolved,  That  in  the  sudden  bereavement  which  has  befallen  our  Society,  we  would 
not  suppress  the  grief  so  deeply  felt.  For  the  long-continued,  unwearied  interest  mani- 
fested by  our  late  President  in  our  prosperity  ;  for  the  readiness,  the  liberality  with  which 
he  seconded  every  effort  for  our  advancement ;  for  the  uniform  coiirtcsy  Avith  which  he 
presided  over  our  assemblages,  and  the  kind-heartedness  often  evinced  there ;  for  his 
anxious  desire  to  see  around  liini  a  band  of  Ijrothers  engaged  in  the  same  ennobling  piu*- 
suits,  actuated  by  the  same  spirit,  aiming  at  the  same  end,  we  shall  ever  with  gratitude 
remember  him. 

Resolved,  That  some  member  of  the  Society  be  appointed  to  prepare  a  biographical 
sketch  of  our  late  President,  to  be  pi'esented  to  the  Society  at  a  futiu'e  meeting. 

Resolved,  That  our  deep  sympathy  be  extended  to  his  afilicted  family. 

Prof.  Jeffries  Wyman  was  chosen  in  conformity  with  the  recommendation  of  the  com- 
mittee, to  prepare  a  biographical  memoir  of  the  late  President.  The  Society  then  ad- 
journed, out  of  respect  to  the  memory  of  the  deceased. 

Dr.  Wyman,  in  accordance  with  the  wishes  of  the  Society,  prepared  a  very  full 
biographical  memoir  of  Dr.  Warren,  which  was  read  by  him  at  the  meeting  of  Dec.  17, 
and  which  may  be  found  in  the  published  Proceedings,  Volume  VI.  A  list  of  Dr.  Warren's 
scientific  writings  is  appended. 

At  the  adjourned  annual  meeting  held  May  21st,  the  Curator  of  Ornithology  called  at- 
tention to  a  magnificent  donation  of  birds  from  the  Government  Museum  of  Natural  His- 
tory, at  Victoria.  Among  them  were  one  hundred  species  or  more,  not  previously  in  the 
Museum.  Other  valualjle  donations  had  also  been  received  from  Dr.  Samuel  Kneeland, 
Jr.,  Mr.  Geo.  S.  Shaw  of  Cambridge,  and  Mr.  E.  Samuels. 

The  Botanical  department  had  received  from  Prof.  Asa  Gray  several  hundred  South 
European  plants. 

The  Geological  Cabinet  had  been  the  recipient  of  a  fine  series  of  Eocene  shells  from 
the  Paris  basin,  presented  by  Geo.  B.  Emerson,  Esq. 

The  Curator  of  Comparative  Anatomy  mentioned  several  valuable  donations  from 
Dr.  J.  V.  C.  Smith,  Geo.  B.  Emerson,  Esq.,  and  Dr.  S.  Kneeland,  Jr.  He  called  attention 
to  the  fact  that  specimens  under  his  charge  were  injured  from  year  to  3"ear,  in  consequence 
of  the  increased  dampness  and  other  unsuitable  conditions  of  the  building. 

The  Librarian  reported  that  a  card  catalogue  had  Ijeen  prepared  for  the  use  of  the 
Library. 

The  officers  for  the  ensuing  year  were  then  elected,  with  the  exception  of  the  President. 

Dr.  John  Bacon  was  chosen  Curator  of  Mineralogy,  in  place  of  Mr.  Francis  Alger  ; 
Dr.  Samuel  Kneeland,  Jr.,  Curator  of  Ichthyology,  in  place  of  Dr.  Silas  Durkee  ;  and 
Dr.  Silas  Durkee,  Curator  of  Entomology,  in  place  of  Dr.  II.  K.  Oliver,  Jr. 

A  Committee  consisting  of  Dr.  A.  A.  Gould,  Prof.  Jeffries  Wyman,  Dr.  Samuel  Cabot, 
Dr.  N.  B.  Shurtleff,  and  Mr.  C.  J.  Sprague  were  appointed  to  nominate  a  candidate  for  the 
office  of  President.  This  committee  at  the  next  meeting  were  further  instructed  to  report 
the  names  of  two  or  more  persons  as  candidates. 

At  a  meeting  held  on  the  18th  of  June,  tlie  Committee  on  nomination  made  a  report 
which  is  not  given  in  the  records. 


68  HISTORICAL   SKETCH  OF  THE 

The  Sociot}'  proceeded  to  vote,  and  upon  collecting  the  ballots  it  was  found  that  Pi'of. 
Jeirries  Wyinan  was  unanimously  elected  President.  With  his  usual  modesty  he  hesitated 
to  accept  the  position  tendered,  doubting  his  ability  to  serve  the  Society  satisfactorily  as 
President.  Tbi'^  U'd  to  an  emphatic  expression  of  feeling  on  the  part  of  the  members  in 
favor  of  his  accepting  the  office.  He  still  liesitated,  and  finally  begged  the  Society  to  give 
him  time  for  consideration,  -which  was  granted. 

At  the  next  meeting,  July  2d,  Prof.  Wyman  annouuced  his  acceptance  of  the  office  of 
President,  and  entered  upon  its  duties. 

The  first  and  the  only  excursion  that  the  Society  ever  made  as  such,  took  place  this  year. 
A  committee  was  appointed  to  consider  the  subject  of  summer  excursions,  of  which 
Mr.  Bouve  was  chairman,  in  behalf  of  the  connuittee  he  reported  in  favor  of  the  plan, 
and  proposed  that  the  first  one  should  be  made  to  Ilingham  and  the  neighboring  country. 
It  was  voted  to  asscmlde  on  l)oard  the  Ilingham  Steamboat  at  9  A.  M.,  on  Wednesday, 
July  23d,  and  it  was  midcrstood  that  the  Committee  would  make  arrangements  for  proper 
conveyances  at  Hingham  when  the  company  should  arrive. 

Accordingly  the  Society  met  on  board  the  boat  at  the  time  appointed.  The  day 
■was  beautiful  and  everything  conspired  to  make  it  an  agreeable  and  instructive  one 
to  the  members.  Upon  landing  at  Ilingham  they  were  conveyed  to  Nantasket  Beach 
in  carriages,  stopping  ou  the  way  to  examine  a  colony  of  night  herons  in  the  Avoods,  and 
many  trunks  of  submerged  trees  buried  in  salt  water  peat,  which  had  become  exposed  by 
excavations.  This  gave  rise  to  much  conversation  upon  the  breaking  away  of  the  barrier 
which  had  formerly  kept  the  ocean  back  from  tliis  tra(!t  of  land,  and  the  consequent  des- 
truction of  the  forest.  The  next  interesting  locality  was  the  site  of  an  Indian  cemetery 
near  Nastasket  Beach.  Here  the  President,  Avho  had  previously  with  his  brother  and  Mr. 
Francis  Boyd,  had  an  opportunity  of  examining  some  of  the  graves,  gave  an  account  of 
what  had  been  found  there,  whicli  was  (|uito  interesting.  Mr.  Boyd,  who  resided  neai", 
invited  the  members  to  his  house,  where  he  showed  them  such  relics  as  were  in  his  pos- 
session from  the  cemeterv,  and  also  regaled  them  with  a  generous  entertainment.  After 
riding  on  the  beach,  the  carriages  were  sent  round  to  the  Cohasset  shore,  and  the  mem- 
bers, wandering  along  the  margin  of  llie  sea  and  climlnng  over  the  rocks,  collected  such 
specimens  of  shells,  fish  and  marine  plants  as  they  met  with,  listening  meanwhile  to  the 
remarks  of  such  as  were  conversant  with  the  objects  found.  Dr.  David  F.  Weinland  par- 
ticularly called  attention  to  the  ovaries  of  the  whiting,  in  which  were  eggs  in  process  of 
embryonic  development. 

Upon  again  resuming  seats  in  the  carriages,  a  pleasant  drive  along  the  ridge  road  fol- 
lowed, with  a  stop  to  view  the  great  trap  dyke  which  there  protrudes  through  the  gnmite 
rock.  Here  remarks  were  made  upon  the  dyke  and  the  enclosing  rock,  by  Dr.  Jackson, 
Mr.  Alger  and  Mr.  Bouve. 

After  a  further  very  interesting  drive,  the  company  arrived  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Bouv^ 
at  about  3  P.  M.,  where  they  examined  his  mineralogical  cabinet,  listening  to  some  expla- 
nations respecting  the  specimens,  made  by  Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson  and  himself. 

Dinner  followed ;  this  having  been  partaken  of  with  much  hilarity,  the  members  sep- 
arated, some  going  into  the  woods  to  collect  specimens,  while  the  larger  portion  assem- 
bled under  a  grove  neai-  the  house  to  listen  to  some  scientific  remarks  upon  what  had  been 
seen  during  the  morning,  and  other  matters.     This  proved  to  be  a  very  interesting  gath- 


BOSTON  SOCIETY   OF   NATURAL   HISTORY.  09 

erhiiii;.  Prol'.  W^nian  gave  an  account  ol"  the  horse  shoe  (Limuhis),  and  the  wnj'  in  wliich 
it  casts  its  sheU.  Mr.  Francis  Alger  spoke  upon  the  great  Beryl  formation  in  Grafton, 
N.  II.,  and  Dr.  Jackson,  upon  the  geology  of  the  hill  where  the  Beryls  are  found. 
Dr.  Jackson  then  gave  an  account  of  trap  dykes,  as  illustrated  by  what  h;ul  been  seen 
by  them  in  the  course  of  the  excursion  on  the  coast.  Dr.  Weinland  gave  an  account  of 
the  reproduction  of  parasitic  animals,  and  Mr.  Charles  J.  Sprague  exhibited  and  talked 
upon  a  parasitic  fungus  growing  upon  the  body  of  a  beetle. 

Informal,  but  interesting  and  instructive  conversation  followed.  The  members  then 
passed  votes  of  thanks  to  those  who  had  been  instrumental  in  enabling  them  to  pass  the 
day  so  agreeably,  and  proceeded  to  take  cars  for  Boston  from  the  station  only  a  few  hun- 
dred feet  distant. 

Of  course  it  has  not  been  possible  to  make  any  reference  to  the  many  valualde  papers 
lirought  forward  and  read  at  the  meetings  of  the  Society.  To  have  mentioned  even 
briefly  the  most  important  of  them  would  have  required  that  volumes  should  have  been 
devoted  to  this  historical  sketch,  where  only  pages  are  given.  Moreover  these  may  all 
be  found  in  the  Journal,  or  the  printed  Proceedings  of  the  Society.  When,  however,  an 
important  discovery  is  mentioned  as  having  been  made  in  our  immediate  neighborhood, 
it  seems  well  not  to  omit  notice  of  it. 

Of  this  character  certainly  was  the  discovery  of  Trilobites  in  the  slates  of  Braintree, 
scarcely  a  dozen  miles  from  Boston.  This  was  announced  by  Prof  Wm.  B.  Rogers,  in 
AuLiUst  of  this  year,  and  specimens  were  exhibited.  This  afforded  the  first  satisfactory 
evidence  yet  presented  of  the  geological  age  of  the  stratified  rocks  of  eastern  Massachu- 
setts. 

A  letter  was  received  in  November  from  Mrs.  M.  A.  Binney,  tendering  a  2)ortion  of  the 
library  of  the  late  Dr.  Amos  Binney  for  deposit  with  the  books  of  the  Society,  upon  cer- 
tain conditions  not  objectionable.  It  was  voted  to  receive  them,  and  present  the  thanks 
of  the  Society  to  Mrs.  Binney  for  the  kind  interest  manifested  by  her  in  making  the  pro- 
posal. The  number  of  works  thus  deposited  were  353,  and  the  number  of  volumes,  includ- 
ing pamphlets,  1145.  This  accession  to  the  librarj-  was  of  very  great  service  to  the  mem- 
bers, the  works  deposited  being  many  of  them  of  great  value  for  investigation,  and  not 
otherwise  to  be  had  by  them. 

1857.  Early  this  year  the  Society  lost  from  among  its  corresponding  members  no  less 
than  three,  distinguished  for  their  scientific  attainments,  viz.:  Prof  J.  W.  Bailej^,  of  West 
Point;  William  C.  Redfield  of  New  York,  and  Pi'of  Michael  Tuomey  of  Alabama.  Beso- 
lutions  expressive  of  the  great  loss  that  science  had  sustained  by  their  death,  were  passed 
by  the  Society,  introduced  by  remarks  concerning  their  lives  and  labors.  From  Prof 
Bailey  a  bequest  was  received  of  great  value,  consisting  of  his  microscopic  collection,  and 
of  a  collection  of  Algae,  with  a  great  deal  of  material  for  microscopic  research.  Also  a 
great  many  works  upon  microscopy,  botany  and  histology.  These  embraced  Eln\>n- 
berg's  Mikrogeologie,  Lindley  and  Iliittou's  Fossil  Flora,  and  others  of  -great  value. 
The  bequest  was  upon  the  condition  that  the  collection  should  be  kept  in  cases  by  them- 
selves, and  that  the  sons  of  Prof  Baih'y  should  have  such  access  to  them  for  study  or 
examination,  as  might  be  consistent  with  tJie  rules  of  the  Society. 

At  the  annual  meeting,  the  reports  of  the  Treasurer,  Librarian  and  Curators  were  pre- 
sented, and  the  substance  of  them  is  here  briefly  gi\  en. 


70  HISTORICAL  SKETCH   OI<^   THE 

The  Report  of  the  Treasurer  was  very  unsatisfactory,  showino;  an  amount  due  hiin  of 
$1726,  hxrgoly  arising  from  the  flict  that  collections  from  nu-nibers  of  the  annual 
assessments  had  not  In'on  made,  as  they  should  have  been.  The  Trustees  of  the  Courtis 
fund  held  about  $A00,  which  would  lessen  the  indebtedness  to  |1326,  and  it  was  thought 
that  .$'.100  mightdje  realiz.ed  from  mendjers  who  owed  much  more  than  this,  but  some  of 
whom  had  not  been  called  upon  for  several  years.  This  would  still  leave  an  amount  due 
the  Treasurer  of  |4;36.  The  Auditing  Committee  expressed  the  opinion  that  much  money 
was  lost  to  the  Society  by  lack  of  ])romptness  and  want  of  system  in  collecting,  and 
strongly  advised  that  all  the  mcmljers  should  be  annually  called  upon  during  some  one 
month,  for  their  assessments.  They  suggested  too  the  im])ortauce  of  the  utmost  econ- 
omy in  expenditure,  considering  the  unsatisfactory  fniancial  position  of  the  So('iety. 

The  Librarian's  report  was  more  exhilarating,  stating  as  it  did,  that  not  less  than  1500 
volumes  had  been  added  to  the  collection  during  the  year.  Of  these  over  1(100  had  been 
deposited  by  the  widow  of  the  late  Ur.  Amos  Rinney,  in  accordance  with  what  she 
believed  to  be  his  wish,  viz.:  for  the  use  of  members  of  the  Society  and  others,  who  may 
resort  to  its  library  for  scientific  investigations,  and  to  be  subject  to  the  same  regulations 
as  arc  the  books  of  the  Society.  This  collection  is  very  rich  in  scientific  Avorks,  and 
there  is  scarcely  a  department  of  science  not  represented. 

The  Library  had  also  received,  as  before  mentioned,  tlu'ough  the  bequest  of  the  late 
Prof  J.  W.  Bailey,  in  addition  to  his  valuable  microscopical  collection,  a  very  valuable 
library  of  microscopic  and  botanical  works,  numbering  in  all  eighty-four  volumes,  and 
one  hundred  and  fifty  pamphlets. 

The  whole  numl)er  of  books  in  possession  of  the  Society  including  those  deposited,  was 
stated  as  follows : 

BclonQ;ing  to  the  Society,  not  including  tlie  bequest  of  Prof.  Bailey, 

Bequest  of  Prof.  Bailey, 

Deposited  by  "A  Reimblicau  Institution," 

Deposited  by  Mrs.  Binney, 

Tot.al,  48G3  i'^O 

The  Curator  of  Mineralogy  reported  his  department  as  indebted  to  Dr.  S.  Kneeland,  Jr., 
Mr.  N.  H.  Bishop,  Mr.  Wm.  Haley,  and  Rev.  S.  Adams  for  specimens  I'eceived  from  them 
during  the  year. 

The  Curator  of  Geology  reported  the  additions  to  the  collection  under  his  charge 
as  few  and  of  little  value,  comp;ired  with  those  received  in  previous  years. 

The  Curator,  of  Entomology,  in  referring  to  the  destruction  in  past  years  of  specimens 
in  the  collection,  stated  that  there  yet  remained  many  uuiujured,  and  entitled  to  care  and 
attention.  These  had  been  subjected  to  a  heat  of  about  200  degrees,  and  the  drawers 
contiiiniug  them  had  had  a  constant  supply  of  camphor. 

Specimens  of  value  had  been  received  from  Mr.  Samuels,  collected  by  him  in  Califor- 
nia, and  one  beautiful  Neuropterous  insect  was  presented  by  Mr.  Solomon  Adams,  of  Lu- 
nenburg, found  in  Winter  street,  Boston. 

The  Curator  of  llerpetologv  reported  the  collection  under  his  charge  as  in  good  order, 
and  that  some  valuable  additions  had  been  made  to  it,  principally  through  the  serv- 
ices of  Mr.  Samuels  in  California.     From  him  between  two  and    three   hundred  speci- 


md  Vols. 

Pamphlets  and  Paris. 

3,000 

300 

84 

150 

767 

1012 

BOSTON   SOCIETY   OF  NATURAL   HISTORY.  71 

mens  had  been  received,  many  of  which  were  new  to  our  Caliinet.  To  Mr.  Kennicott, 
one  of  our  Corresponding  Members  in  Illinois,  the  Society  was  also  indebted  for  a  consid- 
eraljle  nmnber  of  valuable  specimens. 

The  Cnrator  of  Oology  reported  that  the  collection  of  eggs  had  received  many  ad- 
ditions dnring  the  year  from  Mr.  E.  Samnels,  obtained  in  California. 

No  report  from  the  Curator  of  Ornithology  was  made.  Two  specimens  of  South  Anu'r- 
ican  birds  had  been  presented  to  the  collection  by  Mr.  N.  H.  Bishop. 

The  Cui-ator  of  Crustacea  and  Radiata  reported  that  his  department  was  indebted  to 
Mr.  Thos.  Tallant  of  Concord,  for  some  corals  from  California ;  Capt.  Geo.  E.  Tyler  for 
one  large  specimen  ;  Capt.  J.  P.  Couthouy  for  corals  from  the  wreck  of  a  Spanish  vessel 
sunk  off  the  Island  of  Magdalena ;  Capt.  N.  E.  Atwood  for  Corals  and  a  starfish ;  and  to 
Dr.  J.  T.  Parkinson  for  a  crustacean  from' St.  Simon's  Island,  Georgia. 

The  Curator  of  Ichthyology  reported  the  collection  of  his  department  as  in  fair  con- 
dition, and  that  the  Society  was  indebted  to  Dr.  A.  G.  Hamlin  of  Bangor,  Dr.  S.  Knee- 
land,  Jr.,  Mrs.  Geo.  S.  Hillard,  Dr.  S.  Durkee,  Picv.  J.  P.  Kobiuson,  Dr.  D.  H.  Storer,  and 
to  himself,  for  specimens  received  during  the  year. 

The  Curator  of  Conchology  reported  the  following  donations :  A  collection  of  land  and 
fresh  water  shells  from  Dr.  James  Lewis  of  Mohawk,  N.  Y.  A  box  of  land  and  fresh 
water  shells  from  R.  Kennicott,  Illinois,  some  marine  shells  from  Capt.  N.  E.  Atwood, 
and  a  small  collection  of  shells  fromi  John  Jas.  Dixwell. 

The  Curator  of  Botany  reported  that  but  little  damage  had  been  done  to  the  herba- 
rium during  the  year,  and  that  the  plants  wei'e  generally  in  good  condition. 

At  the  election  of  oflicers  for  the  year,  Capt.  N.  E.  Atwood  w^as  chosen  Curator  of  Ich- 
thj^ology  in  place  of  Dr.  Samuel  Knecland  Jr.  ;  Theodore  Lyman,  Curator  of  Crustacea 
and  Radiata  in  place  of  Dr.  John  P.  Reynolds,  and  John  Green,  Curator  of  Comparative 
Anatomy  in  place  of  Dr.  Jeffries  Wyman,  elected  President  the  previous  June. 

The  reception  of  the  splendid  bequest  of  Prof.  Bailey  seemed  to  inspire  some  of  the 
members  with  a  desire  for  microscopic  research,  and  in  June  a  Section  for  the  special 
purpose  was  formed,  called  the  Section  of  Microscopy.  This,  all  members  of  the  So- 
ciety interested  in  the  object,  were  invited  to  join.  It  was  provided  that  a  Curator  of  the 
department  should  be  chosen  yearly  at  the  annual  meeting,  whose  duty  it  should  be  to 
take  charge  of  all  specimens  belonging  to  it,  and  to  preside  at  its  meetings.  It  was  also 
further  provided  that  at  the  first  regular  meeting  of  the  Society  each  month,  the  presid- 
ing officer  shall  call  for  microscopical  papers,  remai'ks  or  exhibitions,  and  that  these  shall 
be  in  order  during  the  continuance  of  the  meeting,  excepting  that  no  business  matter 
properly  belonging  to  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Society  shall  be  superseded.  The  pro- 
ceedings of  this  department  were  lo  be  jiublished  in  llie  Jourual  and  Proceedino's  of  the 
Society,  subject  to  the  decision  of  the  Publishing  Comnnttee. 

At  the  first  meeting  in  June,  Dr.  Silas  Durkee  was  elected  Curator  of  the  new  ilepart-' 
ment  of  Microscopy. 

Mr.  Charles  J.  Sprague  announceil  the  douatiDU  liy  Dr.  Beujainiu  D.  Greene,  the 
first  President  of  the  Societ}-,  of  his  hirge  and  sahiabk'  Ilerhariiun.  This  was  stated  to 
be  particularly  rich  in  specimens  collected  by  the  various  e.\i)loring  expeditions,  both  of 
Europe  and  this  country. 

In  September    of   this   year,   the   de})artment   of  Crustacea  and   Radiata   was   divided. 


72  HISTORICAL   SKETCH   OF   THE 

Mr.  Theodore  Lvman  who  had  been  its  Curator,  becoming  Curator  of  Eadiata  ;  and 
Dr.  H.  K.  Storer,  Curator  of  Crustacea. 

1858.  April.  The  President  stated  tliat  a  considerable  sum  of  money  had  Ijeen  sub- 
scribed for  the  purchase  and  stocking  of  an  Aquarium,  and  that  it  would  be  advisable  to 
appoint  a  Committee  to  attend  to  the  matter.  Accordingly  Dr.  Samuel  Kneeland,  Jr., 
Mr.  L.  B.  Stone,  and  Mr.  Theodore  Lyman  were  chosen  for  this  purpose. 

From  the  record  of  the  annual  meeting  in  May,  the  following  is  presented : 

The  Report  of  the  Auditing  Committee  upon  the  finances,  exhibited  a  balance  due  the 
Treasurer  of  $2074.2-5.  To  meet  this  there  were  availal)le  assets  consisting  of  uncol- 
lected bills  in  the  hands  of  the  Collector,  and  a  sum  in  the  Treasurer's  hands  belonging  to 
'the  Building  fund,  $1306.00,  leaving  the  Society  in  debt  |7G8.25,  and  this  providing  that 
all  the  uncollected  debts  should  be  paid  in  full. 

The  Librarian  reported  that  since  the  last  annual  meeting  thei^e  had  been  added  to  the 
Library,  seventy-four  bound  volumes,  and  one  hundred  and  five  pamphlets  or  parts  of 
volumes,  exclusive  of  those  deposited  l)y  "A  Republican  Institution,"  of  which  there  had 
been  forty-three  bound  volumes.  To  Dr.  Benjamin  D.  Greene  the  Society  was  indebted 
for  some  of  the  most  valuable  woi'ks  that  had  been  presented.  The  Librarian  in  pre- 
senting his  report  took  occasion  to  remark  upon  the  small  sum  used  for  the  purchase 
of  books,  stating  it  to  be  far  short  of  what  the  reasonable  wants  of  the  Curators  required. 
He  strongly  recommended  that  one-third  of  the  income  of  the  Courtis  fund  should  be,  as 
formerly,  appropriated  strictly  for  the  increase  of  the  library. 

The  Curator  of  Mineralogy,  reported  that  his  department  had  received  donations  during 
the  year  from  Dr.  Chas.  T.  Jackson,  Dr.  Samuel  Kneeland,  Jr.,  Dr.  Henry  Bryant, 
Mr.  Thos.  J.  Whittemore,  Mr.  R.  H.  Eddy  and  Mr.  S.  M.  Major.  Those  from  Dr.  Knee- 
land were  numerous,  comprising  an  extensive  series  of  minerals  from  the  Lake  Superior 
region.  That  of  Mr.  Eddy  consisted  of  a  considerable  supply  of  native  borate  of  lime 
from  South  America,  valuable  for  exchanges,  etc. 

The  Curator  of  Geology  reported  that  there  had  been  but  few  additions  to  the  collec- 
tion under  his  charge  dux'ing  the  year.  The  large  collection  belonging  to  the  State,  illus- 
trative of  its  geology,  and  which  had  been  for  man}'  j-ears  under  the  charge  of  the  Society, 
had  been  removed  to  the  State  House.  This  enabled  him  to  place  in  sight  all  the 
specimens  in  the  department  of  sufficient  interest  for  exhibition,  a  considerable  number 
having  been  previously  kept  in  drawers  for  want  of  room  in  the  cases. 

The  Curator  of  Botany'  reported  that  extensive  additions  had  l^een  made  to  the  Her- 
barium during  the  year.  By  the  donations  of  Dr.  Benj.  D.  Greene,  and  the  bequest  of 
the  late  Prof.  Bailey,  the  number  of  specimens  had  been  increased  ten-fold.  Dr.  Greene's 
collection  had  been  incorporated  with  our  own,  and  the  two  united  form  one  of  the  rich- 
est, most  extensive  and  most  valuable  herbariums  in  the  country.  The  bequest  of 
Prof.  Bailey  had  made  our  collection  of  x\lgae  the  most  complete  of  any.  The  Curator 
expressed  his  intention  to  give  particular  attention  to  the  plants  received,  to  take  meas- 
ures for  their  preservation  by  Y>oisoning  every  specimen,  and  to  arrange  them  according 
to  their  genera  and  species.  When  this  work  was  completed,  he  proposed  to  make  a  de- 
tailed report  on  the  whole  herbarium  of  the  Society. 


BOSTON   SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL   HISTORY.  73 

The  Curator  of  Conchology  reported  that  but  few  additions  had  been  made  to  the  col- 
lection of  shells.  He  complained  of  want  of  case-room  to  arrange  species  now  ready  for 
exhiljition. 

The  Curator  of  Hei'petology  reported  the  condition  of  the  collection  good,  and  stated 
that  the  most  important  additions  to  it  had  been  some  specimens  from  Lake  Superior,  pre- 
sented by  Dr.  S.  Knceland,  Jr. 

The  Curator  of  Kadiata  reported  that  the  collection  had  been  increa.sed  during  the 
year  by  donations  from  Dr.  A.  A.  Gould,  Prof.  Agassiz  and  Capt.  N.  E.  Atwood.  He 
remarked  that  when  he  took  charge  of  it  the  previous  year,  he  found  it  in  a  state  of  con- 
fusion and  disorder,  but  that  now  it  was  properly  arranged,  and  the  specimens  mostly 
lal)elled.  The  collection  embraced  al)out  one  hundred  species  of  Polypi,  representing 
thirty-nine  genera,  and  about  eighty-nine  species  of  Echinodermata,  representing  about 
forty  genera.     Besides  these  there  were  a  few  Medusae  in  alcohol. 

The  Report  upon  the  Entomological  department  was  brief,  being  limited  to  a  statement 
of  the  means  used  to  prevent  injury  to  the  specimens,  by  baking,  and  the  free  use  of 
camphor. 

The  Curator  of  the  Microscopical  section  dwelt  at  some  length  upon  the  great  value  of 
the  collection,  and  stated  that  from  the  duplicate  material  belonging  to  it,  specimens  had 
been  furnished  to  a  large  number  of  scientific  persons  in  diflerent  parts  of  the  country, 
Avho  had  applied  for  them. 

No  reports  were  made  by  the  Curators  of  the  departments  of  Ichthyology  and  Crus- 
tacea, by  reason  of  absence  from  the  city. 

At  the  choice  of  officers,  the  only  changes  made  were  in  the  election  of  Amos  Binney 
as  Treasurer  in  the  place  of  Dr.  Nathaniel  B.  Shurtleif,  Alexander  E.  R.  Agassiz,  Curator 
of  Entomology,  in  place  of  Dr.  Silas  Durkee,  who  had  been  made  Curator  of  the  departs 
ment  of  Microscopy,  and  Dr.  Samuel  Kneeland,  Jr.,  Curator  of  Ichthyology  instead  of 
Capt.  N.  E.  Atwood. 

In  July  the  death  of  Dr.  James  Deane  of  Greenfield,  a  Corresponding  Member, 
was  announced.  He  had  manifested  great  interest  in  the  Society,  and  to  him  it  was 
indebted  for  much  advice  and  assistance  in  procuring  the  magnificent  slabs  with  impres- 
sions of  the  foot  marks  of  animals,  which  have  since  found  place  in  the  entrance  hall  of 
the  Museum.  A  full  sketch  of  the  life  and  labors  of  Dr.  Deane,  read  at  a  meeting  of  the 
Society,  July  7,  1858,  by  the  writer  of  these  pages,  may  be  found  in  the  sixth  volume  ol 
the  Proceedings. 

For  the  first  time  the  Society  took  a  recess  in  the  summer.  The  members  voted 
July  7  to  have  no  meeting  until  the  first  Wednesday  in  September. 

In  September  the  death  of  another  of  the  Corresponding  Members  was  announced,  that 
of  Dr.  Francis  W.  Cragin,  of  Surinam.  lie  well  merits  notice  here,  as  having  been  for 
many  years  one  of  the  Society's  generous  benefactors,  from  whom  were  received  large 
numbers  of  donations,  of  great  zoological  and  anatomical  interest. 

It  will  be  borne  in  mind  that  as  early  as  1855,  complaint  was  made  that  owing  to  want 
of  sunlight  and  proper  ventilation,  the  collection  of  the  department  of  Comparative  Anat- 
omy was  suffering  injury  from   the  dampness   of   the    cases   in    which   the   spccimeus 


74  HISTORICAL    SKETCH    OF    THE 

were  contained.  The  trouble  was  increasing,  and  subsequent!}^  the  Curators  of  several  of 
the  departments  reported  injurv  from  the  same  cause  to  the  collections  under  their  charge. 
The  erection  in  18-33  of  the  Boston  Theatre,  a  large  building  adjoining  the  Museum, 
which  cut  off  its  light  and  air,  had  produced  a  change,  rendering  the  latter  far  less  suit- 
able for  the  requirements  of  the  Society  than  when  it  was  first  occupied.  Moreover, 
with  the  ever  increasing  collections  of  the  several  departments  it  had  become  too  small 
for  the  proper  exhibition  of  its  cabinet. 

As  early  as  1857,  Mr.  Jas.  M.  Barnard  had  suggested  that  in  view  of  the  necessities  of 
the  Society,  and  of  the  opportunit}- of  purchasing  at  a  low  price  a  good  site  for  a  new 
building,  some  action  should  be  taken  to  secure  land  for  the  purpose.  Ihe  unsatisfactory 
condition  of  Inisiness  affairs  at  that  period,  however,  precluded  any  action. 

1859.  Early  this  year  Mr.  Wm.  E.  Baker  of  Boston  presented  a  plan  for  the  accom- 
modation of  the  several  institutions  of  art  and  science  of  the  city  in  a  large  building, 
which  he  called  the  Conservatory  of  Art  and  Science,  to  be  erected  on  the  new  land  then 
being  formed  by  the  State  on  the  Back  Bay.  There  was  certainly  much  in  the  project  to 
commend  it  to  the  serious  attention  of  the  institutions  referred  to,  but  it  did  not  meet 
with  full  approval.  The  zeal  and  public  spirit  manifested  by  Mr.  Baker  deserved  the  grat- 
itude of  all  interested.  The  presentation  of  the  plan  proposed  had  the  good  effect  to  call 
attention  to  the  necessity  of  some  action  in  favor  of  securing  early  a  grant  of  land  from 
the  State  for  the  Society,  and  accordingly  a  committee  was  appointed,  consisting  of 
Dr.  Cabot,  Prof  Rogers,  and  Messrs.  Barnard,  Bouve  and  Whittemore,  to  act  in  connection 
with  committees  of  other  institutions  in  petitioning  the  Legislature  for  sufficient  territory 
to  meet  the  requirements  of  all.  This  was  done,  but  the  lateness  of  the  season  prevented 
action  during  the  session. 

The  annual  meeting  was  held  on  May  4. 

The  Report  of  the  Treasurer,  Mr.  Amos  Binney,  was  very  gratifying.  An  arrangement 
had  been  made  with  the  former  Treasurer,  by  which  the  amount  shown  by  tlie  accounts 
as  due  to  him  was  liquidated  without  full  payment  in  money.  The  income  of  the  Society 
had  been  from  all  sources  $1986,  ani  the  expenditures,  $949.04,  leaving  in  the  Treasurer's 
hands,  $1036.96.  Deducting  from  this  amount  a  small  debt,  $89.70,  and  there  was  shown 
as  available  assets,  $947.26.  Besides  this  cash  balance,  the  Society  held  ten  shares  of 
stock  in  the  Bank  of  North  America,  at  the  market  price,  $1035. 

The  Librarian  reported  that  there  had  been  seventy-five  volumes,  and  one  hundred  and 
twenty-six  pamphlets  and  parts  of  volumes  added  during  the  year,  of  which  thirty-seven 
had  been  deposited  by  "  A  Republican  Listitution ;  "  six  hundred  and  eighty-nine  volumes 
had  been  borrowed  from  the  library. 

The  Curator  of  Mineralogy  reported  that  only  few  donations  had  been  made  to  the  col- 
lection during  the  year.  These  were  chiefly  from  Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson  and  Dr.  Samuel 
Kneeland,  Jr.  He  stated  that  valuable  accessions  might  be  expected  when  the  Society 
could  provide  adequate  accommodations  for  their  arrangement  and  exliibition. 

The  Curator  of  Geology  reported  the  condition  of  the  collection  good,  but  that  there 
had  been  few  specimens  presented  to  it.  A  series  of  thirty-six  Acrtebrae,  twenty- 
six  fragments  of  i*ibs  and  other  bones  of  the  Zeuglodon  from  the  eocene  deposits  of  Ala- 
bama, had  been  deposited  by  Mr.  C.  S.  Hale  of  Burlington,  N.  J.     These,  and  many  other 


BOSTON  SOCIETY   OF   NATURAL   HISTORY.  75 

fossils  from  the  same  locality  in  the  jwssession  of  that  gentleman,  wouhl  undouljtedly 
become  the  property  of  the  Society,  it  being  his  expressed  intention  to  provide  that  this 
should  be  the  case. 

The  Curator  of  Entomology  reported  upon  the  great  accession  to  the  department  in  Dr. 
Thaddeus  W.  Harris's  collection  of  insects.  The  native  specimens  in  this,  he  mentioned, 
had  a  peculiar  value,  for  they  included  many  typical  species  described  by  himself, 
Sav,  and  other  naturalists,  and  because  of  the  completeness  of  the  collection.  It  was 
stated  to  contain  4838  specimens  of  2241  species  of  Coleoptera,  181  specimens  of  76 
species  of  Orthoptera,  G20  specimens  of  about  300  species  of  Hemiptera,  2G7  specimens 
of  146  species  of  Neuroptera,  112G  specimens  of  602  species  of  Hymenoptera,  1931  speci- 
mens of  900  species  of  Lepidoptera,  796  specimens  of  395  species  of  Diptera.  In  all  9758 
specimens  of  4GG0  species,  besides  c^uite  a  number  not  yet  classified.  The  general  collec- 
tion was  stated  to  be  in  good  condition. 

The  Curator  of  Comparative  Anatomy,  Dr.  J.  C.  White,  reported  that  the  department 
contained  at  this  time  the  following  specmiens :  crania  257,  skeletons  88,  membra  disjecta 
172,  wet  preparations  123,  skins  43,  dried  preparations  10.  Total  693.  Many  of  these 
were  packed  away  and  could  not  be  put  upon  exhiljition  for  want  of  room.  The  additions 
during  the  year  had  been  few,  but  were  valuable.  Donations  had  been  made  b_y  Drs. 
Kneeland,  J.  Mason  Warren,  E.  S.  Holden,  J.  C.  Warren,  Mr.  C.  B.  Fessenden  and  Mr.  J. 
C.  Reinhardt.  Dr.  White  stated  that  upon  taking  charge  of  the  department  he  found 
the  specimens  almost  without  exception  covered  more  or  less  with  fungoid  growths,  the 
mycelium  of  which  penetrates  and  destroys  the  organic  parts  of  the  bones.  The  ligamen- 
tous skeletons  had  also  been  injured  by  the  ravages  of  Derinestes.  The  growth  of  these 
fungi,  of  which  three  species  had  been  detected  by  him,  was  caused  by  the  dampness  and 
want  of  light  and  ventilation,  imavoidable  in  the  building.  Dr.  White  hoped  tliat  lie  had 
prevented  further  injury  by  carefully  brushing  the  specimens  and  thoroughly  washing 
them  with  an  acid  solution  of  corrosive  sublimate,  strychnia  and  cann)hor.  He  had  also 
taken  the  precaution  to  place  in  each  compartment  dishes  of  chloride  of  calcium  to  absorb 
the  dampness. 

The  Curator  of  Microscopy  reported  that  such  had  been  the  drafts  upon  the  crude 
material  belonging  to  the  collection  received  from  Dr.  Bailey  that  he  thought  the  time  had 
arrived  when  the  kindness  of  the  Society  must  be  limited  so  far  as  relateil  to  donations 
from  it.  What  remained  he  thousjht  would  be  wanted  l)y  the  active  meml)ers  of  the 
Society  in  coming  years  for  studj^.  He  advised,  thei'clbre,  that  there  should  be  no  further 
disposal  of  it,  except  when  required  for  special  and  important  microscopic  researches. 

Of  the  other  departments  nothing  was  stated  impoi-tant  to  present  here. 

The  changes  made  in  the  officers  at  the  election  were  as  follows:  Samuel  H.  Scudder 
was  chosen  Curator  of  Entomology  in  place  of  Alexander  E.  R.  Agassiz ;  F.  W.  Putnam 
was  chosen  Curator  of  Ichthyology  in  place  of  Dr.  Samuel  Kneeland,  Jr.;  Alljcrt  Ordway 
was  chos;n  Curator  of  Crustacea  in  place  of  Dr.  H.  R.  Storer. 

In  November,  a  plan  having  been  proposed  for  a  large  Ijinldiug  to  acconunodate  both  the 
Horticultural  Society  and  the  Society  of  Natural  History,  a  petition  was  presented  to  the 
legislature  asking  the  grant  of  one  of  the  scpiares  of  land  on  the  Back  Bay  for  its  ei'cc- 
tion,  and  another  for  the  use  of  the  contemplated   Institute  of  Technology.     Great  efforts 


76  HISTORICAL    SKETCH   OF   THE 

were  made  by  Prof.  Eogers,  Messrs.  Emerson,  Ross,  Waterston  and  Binney  in  behalf  of 
the  project  through  addresses  before  the  Committees  of  l)oth  branches  of  the  Legislature. 
Considerable  opposition  however  on  the  part  of  many  Senators  prevented  favorable  action 
at  that  time,  though  it  did  not  cause  defeat.  The  petition  was  finally  referred  to  the  next 
General  Court. 

1860.  To  awaken  interest  in  the  work  of  the  Society,  and  to  justify  its  claims  in  the  minds 
of  the  public,  it  was  thought  best  to  have  an  address  delivered  at  the  time  of  the  annual 
meeting  in  May,  and  Prof.  Kogers  was  invited  to  prepare  one  for  the  occasion.  It  was 
read  before  a  very  large  audience  at  the  new"  hall  of  the  Mechanic's  Charitable  Associa- 
tion in  Bedford  Street.  The  record  states  that  he  "  delivered  a  most  eloquent  and  pertinent 
address  on  the  progress  of  natural  science  for  the  last  thirty  years,  dating  from  1830,  the 
year  in  wliich  the  Society  was  organized.  A  large,  highly  intelligent  and  enthusiastic 
audience  honored  the  occasion  with  their  presence,  and  the  Society  had  great  reason  to  be 
proud  of  this  successful  and  brilliant  revival  of  their  annual  address." 

The  Reports  of  the  Treasurer,  Librarian,  and  Curators  at  the  annual  meeting,  furnish 
information  which  is  presented  as  follows : 

The  Treasurer  exhibited  an  account  showing  receipts  for  the  year,  including  the  balance 
on  hand  at  its  commencement,  and  also  the  proceeds  of  sales  of  bank  stock  held  by  the 
Society  to  be  $3551). 13  ;  and  expenditures,  including  an  amount  paid  to  Dr.  N.  B.  Shurt- 
leiF,  the  former  Treasurer,  in  settlement,  |3,399.48,  showing  a  balance  of  $159.65  on  hand 
in  cash,  and  no  debt.  The  Society  having  disposed  of  its  bank  stock,  held  at  this 
time  no  other  property  available  for  its  future  requirements. 

The  Librarian  reported  the  accession  to  the  lil^rary  of  540  volumes  and  pamphlets 
during  the  year ;  about  300  voliunes  of  these  were  very  valuable  works  on  entomology, 
from  the  library  of  the  late  Dr.  Thaddeus  W.  Harris,  which  Avere  purchased  by  J.  P.  Gush- 
ing, Esq.,   of  Watertown,  and  generously  presented  by  him   to   the  Society. 

There  was  nothing  in  tlie  reports  of  the  Curators  of  Mineralogy,  Geolog}',  Herpetology, 
Oology  or  Microscopy,  calling  for  notice  here,  and  none  was  made  upon  Ornithology. 

The  Curator  of  Entomology  mentioned  but  few  additions,  but  stated  that  much  work 
had  been  done  by  him  towards  checking  the  further  ravages  of  destructive  insects. 

The  Curator  of  Radiata  stated  that  the  department  had  been  indebted  to  Drs.  Bryant 
and  Winslow  for  several  additions  to  it. 

The  Curator  of  Ichthyology  reported  an  accession  of  about  200  specimens.  The  donors 
had  been  Dr.  Henry  Bryant,  who  presented  a  very  valuable  collection  from  the  Bahamas, 
Dr.  C.  F.  Winslow,  a  valuable  collection  from  the  Island  of  Maui,  and  the  Museum  of  Com- 
parative Zoology. 

The  Curator  of  Comparative  Anatomy,  Dr.  James  C.  White,  reported  as  might  have  been 
expected,  considering  his  indefatigable  laljor  upon  the  collection  of  his  department,  that 
this  was  now  in  good  condition  and  systematically  arranged.  He  stated  that  the  means 
adopted  hy  him  mentioned  in  the  report  of  the  previous  year,  to  tree  tlie  specimens  from 
the  ravages  of  insects,  had  been  completely  successful,  and  that  even  the  growth  of  the 
destructive  fungi  had  been  prevented  by  the  applications  made.  Every  specimen  too.  had 
been  numbered,  and  had  had  attached  to  it  a  label  giving  its  name,  locality  and  donor. 
A  new  catalogue  had  also  been  prepared  for  the  whole  collection. 


BOSTON    SOCIETY   OF   NATUKAL    HISTORY.  77 

During  the  \  e;ir  21  o  specLiiieus  had  been  added  tu  the  cabinet,  many  of  which  were  tjuite 
valuable.  Of  these  mav  be  mentioned  alaru:o  collection  of  mammalian  skulls  and  skeletons 
presented  by  Dr.  Samuel  Kueeland,  Jr.;  and  tlie  lower  jaws  of  an  inunense  sperm  whale 
from  F.  W.  Choate,  Es(|. 

The  Curator  of  Concliology  reported  that  little  or  no  progress  had  been  nuide  in  his 
department  for  want  of  room  to  arrange  specimens.  The  collection  was  stated  to  com- 
prise aliout  4(11)0  species.  It  had  had  donations  as  follows  :  I'rom  Di'.  Aug.  A.  Could,  37 
species  from  Cumana  and  Hayti,  new  to  the  (!al)inet  ;  from  Dr.  .1.  L' wLs,  a  collection  of 
shells  from  tluj  Mohawk  valley  and  neighboring  lakes;  from  Dr.  Simon  Shurtlell',  23 
species,  many  of  which  were  new  to  the  cabinet;  and  from  Dr.  C.  F.  Winslow,  specimens 
from  the  Hawaiian  Islands. 

The  Curator  of  Crustacea  reported  that  the  cabinet  of  his  department  was  generally  in 
good  condition,  but  that  many  of  the  dried  specimens  had  suffered  from  the  ravages  of 
insects.  He  had  arranged;  labelled  and  catalogued  about  half  the  collection,  and  hoped  soon 
to  finish  the  work  upon  it.  He  complained  seriously  of  the  lack  of  room  to  properly  dis- 
play the  specimens,  and  also  that  a  considerable  number  were  comparatively  worthless 
because  their  localities  were  unknown.  Tlie  donations  had  been  numerous.  Dr.  Henry 
Brvant  had  presented  a  laru'C  collection  irom  the  Bahamas  ;  Prof.  Agassiz  also  a  larcre  col- 
lection  from  the  Hawaiian  Islands,  and  tlie  Essex  Institute  many  specimens  from  our  coast. 
In  all,  there  had  been  added  during  the  year  366  specimens,  comprising  78  species  and 
55  genera. 

The  Curator  of  Botany  reported  that  the  Herbarium  was  in  good  condition.  A  series  of 
valuable  S\viss  plants  collected  by  Mr.  Godet,  and  another  of  soutiiern  plants  collected  by 
Prof  Gibbes  in  the  Carolinas  were  presented  by  himself 

At  the  election  of  olficers  the  following  changes  took  place  :  Dr.  Augustus  A.  Gould  was 
elected  second  Vice-Piesident  in  room  of  Dr.  D.  Humphreys  Storer,  resigned  ;  Dr.  B. 
Jov  Jeffries,  Curator  of  Microscoiiv,  in  room  of  Dr.  Silas  Durkee,  resi'nied  ;  Mr.  A.  T. 
Lyman,  Curator  of  Conchology,  in  room  of  jMr.  Thomas  J.  Whittemore,  resigned  ;  and  Dr. 
Samuel  A.  Gi'een,  Curator  of  Herpetology,  in  room  of  Dr.  .1.  N.  Borland,  resigned. 

Votes  of  thanks  were  passed  to  the  retiring  ollicers  for  tlieir  long  and  ellicient  services. 
Those  of  one  of  them  call  for  particular  nu'ution. 

Dr.  D.  Humpiiukys  Stokki;. 

Whatever  reason  there  may  be  generally  for  hesitating  in  writing  freelv  of  the  services 
of  the  living  and  yet  active  members  of  the  ccmraunily.  there  arc  none  that  should  pre- 
vent full  expression  here  of  such  as  were  rendered  to  the  Society  by  Dr.  D.  Ilumpln-eys 
Storer  during  the  Hrst  thirty  years  of  its  existence.  Those  for  the  Museum  were  invalua- 
ble, and  it  is  due  to  hiiu  to  make  such  mention  of  them  while  treating  of  the  period  of  his 
labors,  as  will  in  soiiu'  degree  serve  to  do  what  the  \isible  result  of  his  own  work  as  exhib- 
ited in  the  magnilicent  collection  made  by  liiiu  ol'  the  Fishes  of  Massachusetts  would 
have  dune  nnicli  better,  had  this  not  been  destroyed.  This  collection,  obtained  through 
arduous  effort.  \m\  u|)  by  his  own  hands  and  presented  by  him  to  the  Society,  was  allowed 
to  go  to  ruin,  ihrough  causes,  perhaps  unavoidable  at  the  time,  but  not  therefore  the  less  to 
be  deplored.      It  was  made  by  Dr.  Storer  when  preparing  his  valuable  report  on  the  Fishes 


78  HISTORICAL    SKETCH    OF   THE 

of  Massachusetts,  published  by  order  ol'  the  Ley-ishiture  of  the  State  in  1839,  and  at  the 
same  time  in  tlie  Boston  Journal  of  Natural  History.  It  embraced,  as  has  been 
before  stated,  ninety  out  of  the  one  hundred  and  twenty  then  known  species  of  the 
coast,  a  large  number  of  which  were  type  specimens,  and  from  which  the  descriptions 
of  the  species  were  drawn.  When  engaged  in  collecting  and  in  seeking  information  con- 
cerning them,  he  visited  the  nuirket  daily  and  examined  all  that  were  to  be  seen  thei'e. 
He  made  the  acquaintance  of  those  engaged  in  selling  lish  and  through  them  with  the 
fishermen  themselves,  often  going  to  their  boats  and  interesting  them  in  his  work,  so  that 
many  were  led  to  aid  him  by  bringing  for  his  use  every  species  that  came  jnto  their  pos- 
session. His  ever  genial  manner  served  to  make  him  very  popular  among  them,  and  he 
thus  became  a  welcome  visitor  whom  they  were  ready  to  serve  with  alacrity.  On  obtain- 
ing any  specimens  wanted  he  conveyed  them  home,  or  to  the  rooms  of  the  Society,  where 
they  were  studied  for  description  and  prepared  for  preservation.  For  the  greater  part  of 
two  seasons,  that  is,  during  the  spring,  summer  and  autumn  months,  when  the  temperature 
of  the  weather  would  allow  of  work  in  unheated  rooms,  he,  in  comnanv  with  Dr.  Auo'ustus 
A.  Gould,  might  be  found  busily  engaged  on  specimens  of  their  respective  departments, 
from  five  o'clock  in  the  early  morning  until  their  breakfast  time.  Mr.  Teschemacher,  who 
had  the  care  of  the  herbarium  at  this  period,  generally  joined  them  previous  to  their  depar- 
ture, having  breakfasted  before  leaving  home.  He  worked  until  his  business  engagements 
called  him  away,  perhaps  an  hour  later.  These  glimpses  of  the  doings  of  some  of  the  ear- 
lier workers  are  not  unworthy  of  contemplation  by  those  who  occupy  their  places  and 
who  would  do  justice  to  their  memory.  Dr.  Slorer's  labor  on  fishes  and  reptiles  was 
often  of  a  very  disagreeable  character,  the  sj^ccimens  received  requiring  transfer  and 
preparation,  being  often  in  a  condition  far  from  pleasant  to  work  upon.  Alas,  that  a  great 
part  of  this  labor  should  have  resulted,  so  far  as  the  Museum  is  concerned,  in  scarcely  more 
than  the  valuable  lesson  it,  with  other  experience,  has  taught;  that  the  voluntary  work  of 
Curators  cannat  be  relied  upon  alone,  to  preserve  collections  that  are  subject  to  ruin  with- 
out constant  supervision  and  care.  In  subsequent  yeai's  nearly  all  the  work  of  Dr.  Stor- 
er's  hands  was  allowed  to  perish.  The  Society  will  not  have  done  its  duty  until  it  has 
replaced  all  the  species  ol)tained  liy  him  of  the  fishes  of  Massachusetts  waters,  every  one 
being  labelled  as  a  substitute  for  the  original  presented  by  him.  It  is  pleasant  to  know 
that  this  is  recognized  as  a  duty,  and  as  one  likely  to  be    acconijdished. 

Mention  has  been  made  of  aid  afibrded  Dr.  Storer  by  fishermen,  at  the  time  he  was 
engaged  in  collecting  specimens.  To  two  of  these  he  was  ver}'  much  indebted,  not 
only  for  many  of  the  species  described  by  him,  but  for  a  great  deal  of  information  con- 
cerning them.  He  would  feel  it  an  injustice  not  to  have  their  names  recorded  with 
his,  in  any  description  given  of  the  work  done  by  him.  These  men  were  Capt.  Blanch- 
ard  of  Lynn  and  Capt.  N.  E.  Atwood  of  Provincetown.  The  latter,  particularly,  furnished 
many  species  that  could  not  otherwise  have  been  procured,  and  which  were  of  invaluable 
service. 

Indirectly  Dr.  Storer  did  much  for  the  Society  in  introducing  to  it  Capt.  Atwood.  lie 
became  a  Corresponding  Member  and  ever  after  manifested  great  interest  in  its  proceed- 
ings. Wheu  in  the  city,  he  has  attended  the  meetings,  and  often  addressed  them,  giving 
always  a  vast  deal  of  information  concerning  fishes,  their  habits  and  the  methods  adopted 
for  their  capture,  not  po^sessed  by  any  other  man. 


BOSTON   SOCIETY   OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  79 

Dr.  Storer's  services  whilst  an  active  member  of  the  Society  were  by  no  means  limited 
to  his  labors  for  the  Museum  ;  on  the  contrary,  few,  if  any,  were  more  earnest  in  devotion 
to  its  general  welfore.  Was  there  money  wanted  for  any  special  purpose,  what  he  could 
spare  was  freely  given.  Was  an  appeal  to  be  made  for  help  from  others,  he  was  never 
backward  in  taking  steps  towards  rendering  it  effective. 

The  part  he  took  in  the  meetings  was  a  prominent  one,  and  the  communications  made 
by  him  were  often  of  great  value.  No  one  can  look  over  the  records  of  the  Society  with- 
out recognizing  the  importance  of  the  work  performed  by  him  in  building  up  the  institu- 
tion he  loved  so  well.  There  was  one  trait  manifested  by  him  when  an  active  member 
that  will  not  be  forgotten  whilst  yet  members  who  were  associated  with  him  live,  and  that 
was  a  disposition  to  encourage  young  and  deserving  members  to  take  part  in  the  pro- 
ceedings. 

Dr.  Storer,  though  not  strictly  speaking  one  of  the  oi'iginal  memljors  of  the  Society, 
may  well  be  considered  such,  as  he  became  an  associate  with  them  immediately  after  its 
ibrmation,  and  in  September  of  tlie  same  year  was  elected  Recording  Secretary,  which 
office  he  held  until  May,  1836.  He  was  a  Curator  before  there  were  special  departments 
of  the  Museum  from  1836  to  1838,  afterwards  of  the  department  of  Reptiles  and  Fishes 
from  1838  to  1843.  Elected  Vice-President  in  1843,  he  remained  in  this  position  until 
1860,  when  he  resigned.  He  thus  held  office  for  the  long  period  of  thirty  years,  with 
honor  to  himself  and  with  great  advantage  to  the  Society. 

Of  Dr.  Storer's  life  and  work  otherwise  than  as  connected  with  the  Society  the  following 
is  presented : 

Dr.  Storer  was  born  in  Portland,  Maine,  Marcli  2Gth,  1804.  He  was  educated  at  Bowdoin 
College ;  graduated  there  in  1822  and  had  the  degree  of  LL.D.  conferred  upon  him  by 
that  institution  in  1876.  His  scientific  tastes  led  him  to  associate  himself,  as  has  been 
mentioned,  with  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History  soon  after  its  formation,  but  the 
particular  attention  he  subsequently  gave  to  ichthyology  was  entirely  the  result  of  fortui- 
tous circumstances.  When  Dr.  Hitclicock  was  authorized  to  re-survey  the  State  in  1837, 
he  expressed  a  strong  desire  that  there  should  also  be  made  a  more  full  examination  of  its 
Natural  History.  A  committee  of  the  Legislature  therefore  met  the  one  on  the  part  of 
the  Society  in  conference,  the  result  of  which  was  that  George  B.  Euierson,  President  of 
the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History,  Chester  Dewey,  Professor  of  Botany  in  the  Berk- 
shire Medical  Institution,  Ebenezer  Emmons,  M.  D.,  Professor  of  Natural  History  in 
Williams  College,  Rev.  William  B.  0.  Peabody  of  Springfield,  T.  W.  Harris,  M.  D.,  Lilirarian 
of  Harvard  University,  D.  Humphreys  Storer,  M.  D.,  and  A.  A.  Gould,  M.  D.,  of  Boston, 
Curators  in  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History,  were  commissioned  to  take  charge  of 
the  Botanical  and  Zoological  survey.  These  gentlemen  met  and  agreed  among  themselves 
as  to  the  part  they  should  respectively  take  in  the  w'ork.  Prof.  Emmons  undertook  to 
report  upon  the  Mammals,  Dr.  Storer  upon  the  Fishes  and  Reptiles,  Mr.  Peabody  upon  the 
Birds,  Dr.  Harris  upon  the  Insects,  Dr.  Gould  upon  the  Mollusks,  etc. 

The  division  was  unquestionably  a  wise  one,  but  it  required  of  Dr.  Storer  a  scientific 
report  within  a  year  on  a  subject  of  which  neither  he  nor  any  one  else  in  the  community 
knew  anything  beyond  what  was  known  to  the  fish  dealer  and  the  cook.  Laughingly  he 
lias  since  remarked  that  he  could  scarcely  at  the  time  have  told  a  flounder  from  any  other 


so  HISTORICAL    SKETCH    OF   THE 

flat  fish.  This  was  not  all.  There  was  not  in  New  England  an  ichthyologist  with  whom 
he  could  consult,  and  scarcely  a  hook  that  would  aid  him  in  his  investigations.  Sufficiently 
discouraging  all  this,  but  Dr.  Storer  did  not  despair.  If  he  knew  but  little  of  ichthyolog;y, 
he  had  a  scientific  mind,  sharply  observant,  quickly  perceptive  and  nicely  discriminating. 
Moreover  he  was  indefatigable  in  performing  whatever  he  undertook,  never  relaxing  in  his 
work  until  it  was  done  and  well  done. 

The  Commissioners  came  to  an  understanding  tjiat  they  all  should  endeavor  as  far  as 
possible  to  extend  the  boundaries  of  knowledge  in  each  department,  and  not  confine 
themselves  to  merely  jjresenting  catalogues  of  species.  It  was  soon  perceived  that  the 
work  expected  of  them  could  not  possibly  be  done  within  the  allotted  time,  and  leave  was 
asked  and  obtained  to  defer  the  reports  until  a  later  j^eriod. 

Before  another  year,  however,  had  elapsed,  several  were  ready,  and  we  can  only  wonder, 
in  looking  over  the  volumes  produced,  that  so  much  could  have  been  accomplished  within 
so  limited  a  period.  The  result  of  Dr.  Storer's  labor  was  what  Dr.  DeKay  described  as  a 
"masterly  report"  on  the  Fishes  of  Massachusetts.  This  was  published  by  an  order  of  the 
Legislature  in  A;igust,  1839,  and  also  appeared  in  the  Boston  Journal  of  Natural  History 
at  the  same  time.  Previous  to  this,  Dr.  Storer  had  presented  some  papers  before  the  So- 
ciety on  fishes,  which  had  also  appeared  in  the  Jom-ual.  In  April,  1845,  he  counuunicated 
to  the  meeting  of  the  American  naturalists  at  New  Haven,  a  very  valuable  paper  called 
"A  Synopsis  of  the  Fishes  of  North  America."  This  was  published  in  the  Memoirs  of  the 
American  Academy.  Subsequently  there  appeared  in  the  same  Memoirs  what  Dr.  Storer 
termed  his  final  report  on  the  fishes  of  Massachusetts,  the  species  being  all  illustrated  by 
fine  engravings,  and  this  was  also  puldished  in  a  separate  volume. 

The  third  decade  of  the  existence  of  the  Society  having  now  passed,  some  mention  will 
be  made  of  what  has  not  been  referred  to  during' the  period. 

The  Journal  of  the  Society  had  been  published  from  time  to  time,  but  not  quite  with 
the  regularity  that  distinguished  its  earlier  issues.  Volume  VI  and  part  of  Volume  VII  had 
appeared  with  many  articles  of  great  value.  The  Proceedings  appeared  more  frequently. 
A  part  of  Volume  III,  and  Volumes  IV,  V,  and  VI,  and  a  considerable  portion  of  Volume 
VII  had  been  printed  and  circulated.  The  scientific  character  of  both  series  had  been  well 
sustained,  and  had  helped  much  to  extend  the  reputation  of  the  Society  abroad. 

The  aver-age  attendance  on  the  meetings  each  year  may  be  seen  l)y  the  following  table  : 

20 
26 

■28 
30 
;!0 

Those  who  took  a  prominent  part  at  the  meeetings  of  the  Society  during  the  first  five 
years  of  the  ten,  by  presenting  communications,  participating  in  the  discussions,  or  other- 
wise, were  Dr.  Charles  T.  Jackson,  Count  Desor,  Dr.  Wyman,  Dr.  Burnett,  Dr.  Gould,  Dr. 
Durkee,  Mr.  W.  0.  Ayres,  Dr.  Cabot,  Mr.  William  Stimpson,  Dr.  J.  C.  Warren,  Dr.  Samuel 
Kneeland,  Jr.,  Dr.  A.  A.  Hayes,  Prof  William  B.  Rogers,  Mr.  Teschemacher,  Dr.  Thomas 
M.  Brewer,  Dr.  D.  11.  Storer,  Dr.  H.  R.  Storer,  Mr.  Charles  J.  Sprague,  Mr.  Wells,  Prof 
Henry  D.  Rogers,  Dr.  J.  Mason  Warren  aud  Mr.  Thomas  T.  Bouve. 


For  the 

year 

ending  May 

1851 

23 

F 

or 

the 

year 

endiii 

iii-  May  185G 

1852 
1853 

IG 
14 

(( 
(( 

1857 
1858 

u 

it 

1854 

17 

(( 

1859 

(( 

u 

1855 

17 

(( 

1800 

'^^       0Si^-.^ 


'./wS 


■    'B- 


lopnUuiillilillslU-L; 


BOSTON  SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  81 

Those  who  were  prominently  active  during  the  last  five  years  of  the  ten  were  Dr.  C.  T. 
Jackson,  Prof.  William  B.  Rogers,  Dr.  A.  A.  Hayes,  Mr.  Charles  J.  Sprague,  Dr.  Thomas 
M.  Brewer,  Dr.  Samuel  Kneeland,  Jr.,  Dr.  Jeffries  Wyman,  Professor  Agassiz,  Dr.  Gould, 
Dr.  J.  C.  White,  Dr.  Henry  Bryant,  Dr.  Samuel  L.  Abbot,  Dr.  J.  N.  Borland,  Mr.  J.  Whit- 
temore,  Dr.  Silas  Durkee,  Dr.  John  Bacon,  Jr.,  Mr.  Charles  Stodder,  Mr.  Theodore  Lyman, 
Dr.  B.  J.  Jeffries,  Dr.  C.  F.  Winslow,  Mr.  Samuel  H.  Scudder,  Dr.  Samuel  Cabot,  Dr.  D. 
H.  Storer,  Dr.  Charles  Pickering,  Mr.  John  Green,  Dr.  D.  F.  Weinland,  Capt.  N.  E.  At- 
wood,  Mr.  Nathaniel  H.  Bishop,  Dr.  J.  B.  S.  Jackson,  Prof  H.  D.  Rogers,  Mr.  J.  M.  Bar- 
nard, Prof  Theophilus  Parsons  and  Mr.  Thomas  T.  Bouve. 

The  financial  condition  of  the  Society  at  the  close  of  the  decade  differed  but  little  from 
that  at  the  connnencement.  There  had  been  during  the  ten  years,  periods  of  considerable 
indebtedness,  Ijut  the  economical  course  of  the  government  had  prevented  its  increase,  and 
at  the  annual  meeting,  as  stated  in  the  Treasurer's  report,  there  was  a  small  balance  in  the 
Treasury. 

The  Library  had  increased  from  about  3500  volumes  reported  as  in  the  possession  of  the 
Society  in  ISoO,  to  nearly  5003,  including  1012  deposited  by  Mrs.  Binney,  and  767  depos- 
ited by  "  A  Republican  Institution".  Besides  these  there  were  681  pamphlets,  or  parts  of 
volumes. 

The  number  of  Resident  Members  of  the  Society  at  this  time  were  about  206,  exclusive 
of  Life  Members,  of  whom  there  were  18. 

The  Standing  Committees  of  the  Council,  through  which  much  of  the  important  business 
of   the  Society  was    transacted,  had  faithfully  attended    to    the   duties    assigned    them. 

The  members  of  each  during  the  decade  were  as  follows  : 

On  the  Library  :  Drs.  A.  A.  Gould,  S.  Kneeland,  Jr.,  Henry  Bryant,  and  D.  Himi- 
phrcys  Storer,  and  Messrs.  C.  K.  Dillaway  and   Charles  J.   Sprague. 

On  Finance  :  Dr.  N.  B.  Shurtleff",  Messrs.  J.  J.  Dixwell,  Thos.  Bulfinch,  P.  T.  Jackson, 
Amos  Binney,    C.  C.  Sheafe,  J.as.  M.  Barnard,  Thos.  T.   Bouve,  and  George  B.  Emerson. 

On  the  Library :  Drs.  A.  A.  Gould,  D.  Humphreys  Storer,  S.  Kneeland,  Jr.,  John  Bacon, 
S.  Cabot,  Jr.,  Henry  Br^'ant,  and  Messrs.  C.  K.  Dillaway  and  Chas.  J.  Sprague. 

On  Pulilications  :  Drs.  D.  Humphreys  Storer,  JeftVies  Wyman,  Samuel  Kneeland,  Jr., 
Samuel  L.  Abbot,  Samuel  Cabot,  Jr.,  Benj.  S.  Shaw,  and  Mr.  C.  K.  Dillaway. 

Decade  IV.     May,  1860-Mat,  1870. 

Soon  after  the  annual  meeting,  Mr.  Arthur  T.  Lj-man,  who  had  been  elected  Curator  of 
Concholoffv,  resigned,  and  in  June  Mr.  Nathan  Farrand  was  elected  his  successor. 

In  October  of  this  year  the  Society  was  notified  that  the  late  Jonathan  Phillips  had 
made  to  it  the  magnificent  bequest  of  $10,000.  It  will  be  remembered  that  in  the  latter 
part  of  1849,  when  the  Society  was  suffering  from  debt,  this  gentleman  manifested  his 
interest  in  its  welfare  hy  a  timely  donation  of  $2,000,  which  relieved  it  from  all  liability. 

The  exertions  of  the  members  of  the  Society  towards  accomplishing  the  objects  in 
view,  viz.,  that  of  securing  land  from  the  State  on  which  to  build,  and  help  from  the 
public  to  enable  the  Society  to  erect  a  structure  suitable  for  its  wants,  were  constant.  In 
December  a  Committee  was  appointed  by  the  Council,  consisting  of  Prof  Rogers,  Dr.  A. 


82  HISTORICAL   SKETCH    OF   THE 

A.  Gould  and  Mr.  Amos  Biniiey,  to  prepare  a  pamphlet  setting  forth  the  claims  and  wants 
of  the  Society.  This  was  published  and  distributed  among  the  members  of  both  houses  of 
the  Legislature. 

In  December  also  it  was  voted  by  the  Council  that  a  course  of  lectures  be  given  during 
the  winter  by  members  of  the  Society,  free  to  the  public,  and  Profs.  Rogers  and  Wyman, 
with  Dr.  Gould,  were  appointed  to  prepare  a  plan  of  such  a  course,  with  fidl  powers  to 
make  all  the  necessary  arrangements. 

1861.  The  most  important  event  of  the  year  to  the  Society,  and  one  of  the  most 
important  in  its  history,  was  the  munificent  donation  by  Dr.  William  J.  Walker  of  his 
estate  in  Bulfinch  Street. 

As  this  act  was  the  first  of  a  series  of  great  donations  on  the  part  of  Dr.  Walker  to  the 
Society,  it  may  be  well  to  state  what  is  known  that  led  to  such  manifestation  of  interest 
in  its  welfare.  For  some  time  previous  to  the  event  mentioned  Dr.  Walker  had  boarded 
in  the  same  house  at  Cambridge  with  the  President  of  the  Society,  Prof.  W^-man,  and  an 
intimacy  had  arisen  between  them  which  led  the  former  to  regard  with  attention  whatever 
the  latter  was  jaarticularly  engaged  in.  Noticing  among  the  documents  brought  home  and 
laid  upon  the  table  of  their  common  sitting  room  by  Prof.  Wyman,  some  of  the  publica- 
tions of  the  Society,  Dr.  Walker  became  interested  in  their  perusal  and  finally  in  the  work 
of  the  Society  itself.  This  led  to  many  conversations  between  them  respecting  the  aims 
and  objects  in  view,  which  resulted  in  the  donation  mentioned,  and  eventually  in  Dr. 
Walker  becoming  the  great  benefactor  of  the  Society. 

In  announcing  the  j^leasing  event  Prof  Wyman  made  the  following  remarks,  which 
are  worth_y  of  mention  here  : 

"I  have  great  pleasure  in  stating  that  since  our  last  meeting.  Dr.  William  J.  Walker 
has  presented,  and  by  the  necessary  legal  process  has  conveyed  to  this  Society,  the  estate 
recently  occupied  by  him  in  this  city.  The  property  has  been  placed  in  the  hands  of 
trustees,  to  be  devoted,  under  wise  and  liberal  conditions,  in  sucli  a  manner  as  they  may 
deem  most  expedient,  for  the  promotion  of  our  Ijest  interests  and  of  the  study  of  natural 
history.  This  is  tiie  largest  gift  that  we  have  received  from  a  single  individual.  Under 
any  circumstances  it  would  be  munificent.  Now  it  is  both  munificent  and  timely.  It  is  all 
the  more  gratifying  inasmuch  as  it  was  wholly  unsolicited.  It  naturally  follows,  from  the 
emotions  which  this  beneficence  calls  forth,  that  we  should  rejoice  at  being  the  recipients 
of  such  a  gift,  and,  in  accepting  it,  should  express  our  gratitude  and  sense  of  deep  obliga- 
tion. But  we  must  not  rest  here ;  there  are  other  considerations  to  which  we  must  allow 
a  place  at  this  time. 

"  Standing  before  a  community  identified  with  the  study  of  natural  history  and  the  dif- 
fusion of  a  knowledge  of  it,  Ave  have  been  liberally  endowed  in  this  and  other  ways.  I 
believe  that  with  our  very  inadequate  means,  we  have  done  niueh  to  justify  our  benefiic- 
tors  and  the  public  in  their  encouragement  of  us.  But  every  liencfaction  has  imposed, 
and  every  new  one  will  impose,  additional  and  more  exacting  obligations.  Societies  are 
often  charged,  and  it  is  to  be  feared  too  often  justly,  as  less  faithful  to  their  trust  than 
individuals.  We  n.ust  have  care  that  such  a  charge  may  not  apply  to  us.  In  accepting 
the  gift  now  offered  us,  we  bind  ourselves,  though  tacitly  yet  firmly,  to  fulfil  all  the  obli- 
gations which  belong  to  it,  implied  no  less  than  direct. 


BOSTON   SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  83 

"We  have  recently  set  forth  our  chiims  upon  the  community  for  patronage.  It  should  be 
remembered  that  the  public,  though  it  does  not  formally  set  forth  its  claims  upon  us,  has 
them,  and  with  a  deeper  interest  in  the  study  of  nature  than  has  been  known  before, 
judges  us  with  a  severer  scrutiny  and  by  a  higher  standard  than  at  any  previous  period. 
So  long  as  we  make  our  collections  useful  and  our  studies  conducive  to  the  public  good, 
and  thus  show  ourselves  faithful  to  our  trusts,  we  are  justified  in  the  belief  that  we  may 
confidently  expect  to  receive  hereafter,  as  we  have  received  already,  every  necessary  sup- 
jjort  and  encouragement." 

Professors  W.  B.  Rogers  and  Agassiz  congratulated  the  Society  upon  the  addition  to 
their  means  at  such  an  opportune  moment,  and  Dr.  Augustus  A.  Gould  offered  the  fol- 
lowing resolutions,  which  were  unanimously  adopted  : 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Society  accepts  with  gratitude  the  donation  of  Dr.  Wm.  J.  Walker 
on  the  terms  stipulated. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  accession  of  so  munificent  a  sum  to  our  funds  at  a  moment  when 
further  expansion  witli  our  actual  resources  must  have  been  very  limited,  greatly  encourages 
us  to  new  and  more  efficient  exertion. 

"  Resolved,  That  it  shall  be  our  diligent  care  that  the  avails  from  the  donation  shall  be 
applied  prudently  and  practically  towards  the  cultivation  and  diffusion  of  useful  knowl- 
edge ;  specially  aiming  to  modify  the  direction  of  our  endeavors,  as  the  spirit  of  the  age 
may  from  time  to  time  indicate." 

The  conditions  upon  which  this  donation  was  made  have  always  been  sacredly  regarded 
by  the  Society. 

During  the  session  of  the  Legislature  in  the  winter  of  1860-61,  strenuous  efforts  were 
made  by  several  members  of  the  Society,  and  of  the  Institute  of  Technology,  to  obtain 
the  grant  of  land  wanted  for  the  use  of  each,  particularly  by  Prof  Wm.  B.  Rogers  and 
Mr.  M.  D.  Ross,  which  were  finally  successful,  the  grant  of  one  square,  so  called,  having 
been  made  on  certain  conditions  which  seemed  objectionable  at  first,  but  which  turned  out 
to  be  of  no  detriment.  Of  this  "square"  one  third  was  to  be  for  the  use  of  the  Boston 
Society  of  Natural  History,  the  other  two-thirds  for  the  Mass.  Institute  of  Technology. 

In  March,  it  having  been  intimated  that  possibly  the  city  might  be  willing  to  buy  the 
building  of  the  Society  in  Mason  Street,  for  the  enlargement  of  the  Normal  School  House 
near  to  it,  a  committee  consisting  of  Mr.  Bouve,  Mr.  Binney,  the  Treasurer,  and 
Dr.  Kneeland  was  appointed  to  confer  with  the  City  Government  on  the  subject. 

In  April,  the  Treasurer  with  such  other  members  as  saw  fit  to  join  him,  were 
appointed  a  committee  to  solicit  subscriptions  for  a  building  fmid,  and  in  the  same  month 
a  Building  Committee  Avas  appointed  consisting  of  President  Wyman,  Mr.  Binnej^,  Pro- 
fessor Rogers,  Dr.  Jeftries  and  Mr.  Bouve,  to  consider  and  propose  a  course  of  pro- 
ceedings in  relation  to  the  new  hall,  accompanied  by  such  general  plan  of  grounds  and 
buildings  as  they  might  deem  expedient,  and  to  report  from  tune  to  time  to  the  Soci- 
ety, making  no  engagements  without  further  authority. 

The  reports  of  the  Curators  at  the  annual  meeting  in  May  present  but  little  of 
interest.  Generally,  complaint  was  made  of  want  of  room  for  the  proper  display  of  speci- 
mens, and  the  expectation  expressed  that  when  this  lack  should  be  supplied  there  would 
be  a  much  greater  disposition  manifested  to  make  donations.     The  Curator  of  Geology 


84  HISTORICAL  SKETCH   OF   THE 

reported  that  liis  department  was  better  circumstanced  than  the  others  so  fiiras  the  collec- 
tion belonging  to  the  Society  was  concerned,  inasmuch  as  by  the  removal  of  that  belong- 
ing to  the  State,  ample  space  was  now  afforded  for  the  reception  of  specimens  and  their 
display. 

The  Conchological  department  had  received  between  four  hundred  and  five  hundi-ed 
specimens,  many  of  them  species  new  to  the  collection,  the  donors  being  the  Smithsonian 
Institution,  Mr.  E.  R.  Mayo,  Dr.  A.  A.  Gould  and  Mr.  H.  Davis. 

The  Mineralogical  department  had  received  but  few  donations,  liut  two  of  these  were 
quite  valuable,  one  being  a  large  mass  of  amethystine  quartz  from  Salto,  Uruguay,  the 
other  a  large  geode  of  the  same  trom  Uruguay,  both  the  gift  of  R.  B.  Forbes,  Esq. 

The  Curator  of  Comparative  Anatomy  reported  that  by  the  precautionary  measures 
adopted,  the  collection  had  been  kept  in  good  order,  and  that  donations  of  considerable 
value  had  lieen  received,  piincipall}'  from  Dr.  Henry  Bi'vant  and  Mr.  Du  Chaillu. 

The  Treasurer's  report  was  exhilarating.  He  congratulated  the  Society  upon  a  state  of 
financial  prosperity  unprecedented  in  its  history.  It  had  received  during  the  year  the  leg- 
acy of  the  late  Jonathan  Phillips  of  ^10,000,  a  donation  of  an  estate  from  Dr.  Wm.  J. 
Walker  valued  at  f  30,000  and  the  grant  of  land  from  the  State  for  the  erection  of 
a  new  structure. 

The  Liln-arian  reported  the  number  of  volumes  now  in  the  Liln-ary  as  exceeding  5000. 

At  the  election  of  officers  the  only  change  made  was  in  substituting  Dr.  Francis  H.  Brown 
Curator  of  Herpetology  for  Dr.  Samuel  A.   Green,  who  had  tendered  his  resignation. 

A  special  meeting  of  the  Society  Avas  called  in  July  to  consider  upon  accepting  the  offer 
of  $28,000  which  has  been  made  on  the  part  of  the  city  for  the  building  of  the  Society  in 
Mason  street.  It  was  voted  to  accept  that  price,  and  a  committee  consisting  of  Pi'ofessor 
Rogers  and  Mr.  Bouve  was  appointed  to  complete  the  sale.  This  was  subsequently  done 
and  the  Society  received  the  amount  mentioned. 

In  August  Mr.  Amos  Binney  resigned  the  position  of  Treasurer  of  the  Society  through 
a  letter  to  the  President,  in  order  that  he  might  accept  a  commission  in  the  military  ser- 
vice of  the  United  States.  Mr.  Thomas  T.  Bouve  was  unanimously  elected  Treasurer  in 
his  place. 

After  the  sale  of  the  building  in  Mason  Street  had  been  consummated,  it  was  determined 
on  the  part  of  the  Society  to  temporarily  occupy  the  Bulfinch  estate  for  the  storage  of  its 
collection  and  for  meetings,  until  a  new  museum  should  be  erected  for  its  use.  Accord- 
ingly the  house  was  prepared  for  the  reception  of  the  collection  and  for  the  accommoda- 
tion of  the  meetings,  the  parlors  on  the  lower  story  being  fitted  up  for  the  latter  jjurpose, 
and  occupied  at  the  same  time  as  a  literary.  All  this  being  accomplished,  the  Society  in 
August  left  the  home  it  had  occu])ied  for  thirteen  years,  and  where  its  growth  had  been 
such  as  to  render  more  extensive  apartments  necessary  for  its  expanding  wants. 

Not  without  kindly  thoughts  of  many  pleasing  and  instructive  hours  passed  in  the  cosy 
meeting  room  of  the  Society,  was  the  old  building  left  for  new  quarters.  Hera,  with  the 
library  arranged  in  the  cases  around  and  a  large  table  serviceable  for  multifarious  purposes, 
might  have  been  seen  almost  every  afternoon  several  of  the  Curators  at  work  upon  speci- 
mens or  investigating  their  character  ;  here  too,  for  several  of  the  later  years  might  have 


BOSTON  SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  85 

been  heard  at  the  meetings  as  able  scientific  discussions  as  any  hall  ever  echoed  to,  for  it 
was  here  that  Agassiz,  William  B.  Rogers  and  Henry  D.  Rogers  made  their  power  felt  in 
warm  though  most  friendly  conflict  of  opinion,  exciting  the  intense  interest  of  all  who 
had  the  good  fortune  to  be  present. 

Dr.  Kneeland  made  a  proposal  to. the  Society  to  occupy  with  his  flimily  some  rooms  in  the 
Bulfinch  St.  house,  and  thereby  ensure  the  greater  safety  of  the  buildings  and  contents,  on 
certain  conditions.  These  were  acceded  to  and  Dr.  Kneeland  and  family  subsequently 
occupied  the  premises. 

The  Building  Committee  promptly  and  industriously  devoted  themselves  to  the  work 
put  into  their  hands.  They  studied  the  wants  and  requirements  of  the  Society,  conferred 
among  themselves  as  they  met  from  time  to  time,  as  to  the  interior  arrangements  suitable 
for  the  accommodation  of  the  several  departments,  and  subsequently  consulted  with  archi- 
tects respecting  the  exterior,  and  the  cost  of  building.  In  the  meantime  one  of  their  num- 
ber, Mr.  Amos  Binney,  having  entered  the  Army,  Dr.  Jas.  C.  White  was  substituted  in  his 
place,  and  the  committee  subsequently  now  consisted  of  the  President,  Dr.  Jeffries  Wy- 
man,  Prof  Wm.  B.  Rogers,  Dr.  Jas.  C.  White,  Dr.  B.  Joy  Jeffries,  and  Mr.  Thomas  T. 
Bouve.  They  frequently  met  for  consultation  at  the  house  of  Professor  Rogers,  where 
they  examined  plans  submitted  to  them  and  then  discussed  their  merits.  After  two 
or  three  months  of  close  attention  to  the  subject,  and  after  considering  fully  several 
plans  brought  before  them,  they  finally  reported  to  the  Society  in  November,  as  their 
choice  after  mature  and  long  deliberation,  one  offered  by  Mr.  Jonathan  Preston.  Dr.  White 
explained  the  details  of  the  plan  and  presented  estimates  of  the  cost,  showing  that  a  hand- 
some building  could  be  ei'ected,  and  such  portions  finished  as  would  serve  the  immediate 
wants  of  the  Cabinet  and  Library  for  about  $62,000.  The  Report  was  quite  satisfactory 
and  the  Society  voted  that  the  plan  be  accepted  "as  at  once  graceful  and  ample  in  its  pro- 
portions and  well  adapted  for  all  the  purposes  which  the  Society  has  in  view." 

The  Building  Committee  was  requested  to  have  detailed  specifications  prepared,  in  order 
to  obtain  positive  estimates  of  the  cost  of  finishing  such  portion  of  the  building  as 
was  referred  to  in  the  report,  and  it  was  empowered  to  make  arrangements  for  the  con- 
struction, if  such  estimate  should  show  that  the  cost  would  not  exceed  the  available  fund 
increased  by  further  contributions. 

The  Society  also  voted  that  the  Building  Committee  be  authorized  to  take  such  steps  as 
they  judged  proper  to  raise  an  additional  amount  towards  paying  for  the  new  structure, 
and  also  to  add  to  the  committee  Geo.  B.  Emerson,  Esq.,  and  Rev.  R.  C.  Waterston. 

In  November  of  this  year,  a  fire  occurred  in  Boston,  by  which  a  menagerie  of  wild 
animals  Avas  destroyed,  the  poor  beasts  being  suffocated  in  their  cages.  The  skins  Avere 
greatly  damaged  by  fire  and  water,  but  the  bodies  were  generally  not  much  injured. 
Through  the  exertions  of  Dr.  White,  the  Curator  of  Comparative  Anatomy,  he  obtained 
for  his  department  the  animals,  and  they  were  dissected,  part  of  them  at  the  Medical 
College,  and  the  rest  at  the  private  dissecting  room  of  the  President  at  Cambridge. 
Dr.  White  in  making  a  report  of  the  matter,  stated  "  that  the  Society  may.  consider  itself 
fortunate  in  having  secured  so  valuable  an  acquisition  to  its  already  extensive  osteological 
collection.  Such  an  opportunity  will  probably  never  occur  again.  It  raises  this  depart- 
ment of  the  Cabinet  far  above  any  in  the  country  in  importance,  and  will  enable  us  to 


86  HISTORICAL   SKETCH   OF   THE 

grace  our  new  halls  Avitli  an  almost  perfect  collection  of  skeletons  of  the  large  cats  of  the 
old  and  the  new  worlds." 

The  spechnens  obtained  were,  one  fine  male  lion  from  Delagoe  Bay,  Africa ;  a  very  large 
lioness,  mate  of  above ;  lioness  from  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  presented  to  Prof.  Wyman ;  one 
male  jaguar;  female  of  same,  presented  to  Prof.  Agassiz;  young  Bengal  tiger,  female; 
hunting  leopard,  female,  from  Asia ;  young  leopard,  male,  from  Asia ;  cougar,  male,  from 
South  America ;  ocelot,  female,  from  Central  America  ;  civet  cat,  female,  Asia ;  spotted 
or  laughing  hyena,  male.  Cape  of  Good  Hope ;  jackal,  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  presented  to 
Prof.  Wyman ;  young  black  bear ;  two  raccoons,  male  and  female ;  llama,  female,  from 
South  America  ;  American  opossum  ;  peccary,  female,  Brazil ;  three  monkeys,  one  baboon, 
domestic  goat,  skull  of  gnu ;  eagle  and  vax'ious  other  birds. 

1862.  In  January  of  this  year,  the  Boston  Marine  Society  presented  to  the  Society  a 
valuable  collection  of  objects  in  natural  history,  and  of  specimens  of  the  workmanship  of 
different  East  India  and  Pacific  nations,  such  as  models  of  canoes  and  junks,  war  clubs 
and  insignia  of  office,  cutting  weapons,  bows  and  arrows,  quivers  and  paddles,  native 
cloth  and  tanned  skins,  etc.,  etc. 

The  presentation  of  so  many  objects  of  art,  led  the  Council  to  recommend  the  establish- 
ment of  a  department  of  Ethnology,  and  in  accordance  with  this  suggestion,  the  Society 
formed  such  a  department  and  elected  Dr.  Charles  Pickering  its  Curator. 

In  March  of  this  year.  Dr.  Kneeland  entered  the  Medical  Corps  of  the  Army,  and  at 
his  request  a  vote  was  passed  that  his  fiimily  be  allowed  still  to  occupy  rooms  in  the  build- 
ing as  a  residence.  Dr.  Kneeland  was  the  third  officer  of  the  Society  that  the  war  had 
called  into  active  service. 

The  Building  Committee,  now  having  in  charge  not  only  the  construction  of  the  pro- 
posed new  edifice,  but  the  raising  of  additional  means  to  meet  the  cost,  omitted  no  effort 
to  accomplish  the  objects  in  view.  They  exhibited  publicly  the  plan  of  the  structure, 
with  detailed  specifications  prepared  by  Mr.  Preston,  and  invited  jjroposals  from  mechanics 
for  the  execution  of  the  work.  No  less  than  sixty-four  were  presented  and  considered,  but 
not  until  subscriptions  had  been  received  sufficient  to  cover  the  entire  estimated  cost,  was 
any  contract  made  involving  expenditure.  To  obtain  subscribers  they  took  most  efficient 
measures.  They  met  together,  they  discussed  plans,  they  consulted  with  others  interested, 
they  decided  what  persons  should  he  appealed  to,  and  finally  distril)uted  among  themselves 
the  names  of  such  as  each  one  would  undertake  to  solicit,  so  that  there  might  be  no  con- 
flicting action.  On  account  of  the  very  great  service  rendered  by  Mr.  M.  D.  Ro.ss,  for  the 
Society  at  this  time,  it  is  proper  to  state  that  though  not  upon  the  committee  he  offered 
his  valuable  aid  in  furtherance  of  its  objects,  met  with  them,  gave  good  advice,  and  finally 
took  an  active  part  in  appealing  to  such  parties  for  money  as  he  thought  he  could  best 
inlluence.  To  aid  the  committee  in  their  work  they  issued  a  circular  prepared  by  Drs.  Jef- 
fries aud  White  giving  the  reasons  for  the  appeal  made  to  the  public,  accompanied  by  lith- 
ographic views  of  the  exterior  of  the  proposed  building,  as  well  as  some  representation 
of  the  plan  for  its  interior  arrangement.  While  thus  engaged  in  preliminary  movements 
towards  personal  appeals,  what  was  their  joy  and  how  great  their  encoui'agemeut,  to  have 
the  announcement  made  to   them,  as  was  done   by  President  Wyman,  that  a  gentleman, 


BOSTON    SOCIETY    OF   NATURAL   HISTORY.  87 

whose  name  was  to  remain  foi*  awhile  unknown,  had  ofl'ered  towards  the  Building  Fund, 
the  munificent  sum  of  |20,000,  provided  a  like  sum  should  be  secured  by  subscription 
from  other  parties  !  This  enabled  the  Committee  to  head  the  subscription  papers  quite 
effectively,  and  no  doubt  had  great  influence  in  securing  signatures  to  them.  The  success 
which  followed  soon  justified  active  measures  for  the  construction,  and  contracts  for  the 
execution  of  the  work,  and  for  delivery  of  material,  such  as  stone,  bricks,  &c.,  immediately 
followed. 

In  May  it  was  found  that  |20,000  had  been  subscribed,  and  Professor  Wyman  was 
requested  to  communicate  the  fact  to  the  gentleman  who  had  made  the  offer  alluded  to. 
At  a  subsequent  meeting  of  the  committee  Professor  Wyman  mentioned  that  he  was 
none  other  than  Dr.  Wm.  J.  Walker,  to  whom  the  Society  was  indebted  for  the  house  it 
occuj^ied,  and  stated  that  he  was  ready  to  pay  over  the  $20,000  at  once. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Society,  June  4,  the  President  announced  the  reception  of  the 
|20,000  from  Dr.  Walker,  and  besides  other  appropriate  action  the  following  resolutions 
were  passed : 

"  Resolved :  That  the  Society  hereby  tender  to  Dr.  Walker  their  most  grateful  acknowl- 
edgement for  the  renewed  and  munificent  proof  of  his  interest  in  their  prosperity,  and  for 
the  occasion  and  the  incentive  which  it  had  afforded  to  other  friends  of  the  Society  to  con- 
tribute an  equal  aggregate  amount. 

"  Resolved  :  That  in  view  of  this  and  the  j)revious  benefactions,  by  which  Dr.  Walker 
has  marked  his  appreciation  of  our  scientific  labors  and  aspirations,  we  feel  that  to  his 
liberality,  chiefly,  we  are  indebted  for  the  enlarged  opportunities  of  usefulness  now  so 
brightly  opening  before  us,  and  that,  in  offering  him  the  homage  of  our  grateful  hearts,  we 
have  no  need  to  assvu-e  him  of  the  enduring  honor  which  will  associate  his  name  with  the 
future  successes  and  the  whole  history  of  the  Society." 

While  yet  engaged  in  getting  subscriptions,  the  committee  kept  busily  at  work  upon 
matters  pertaining  to  the  building,  and  as  soon  as  it  became  clear  that  means  enough  would 
be  secured  to  meet  the  cost,  they  made  contracts  for  the  principal  part  of  the  work,  includ- 
ing the  filling  in  of  the  land. 

From  the  estimates  made  of  the  probable  cost  of  the  building  completed,  it  appeared  that 
not  less  than  $87,000  would  be  required  exclusive  of  cases,  but  that  by  leaving  unfinished 
certain  portions  not  needed  for  early  occupancy,  about  $80,000  would  suffice. 

It  was  therefore  voted  not  to  exceed  $80,000  ujion  the  building,  exclusive  of  cases  and 
furniture. 

It  has  been  thought  well  to  give  somewhat  in  detail  the  action  of  the  Building  Com- 
mittee in  the  preliminary  steps  taken  to  erect  the  grand  structure  since  occupied  by  the 
Society,  and  in  obtaining  the  necessary  means  to  accomplish  its  completion.  To  do  any- 
thing like  justice  to  the  devoted  service  of  a  most  faitliful  and  industrious  committee  would 
require  a  much  fuller  record  of  their  doings  than  can  be  given  here.  The  result  of  their 
endeavors  to  erect  a  building  satisfactory  to  the  Society  will  be  stated  further  on.  Notice 
must  now  be  taken  of  other  matters  of  interest  concerning  the  Society  that  transpired  dur- 
ing the  year. 

The  Reports  of  the  Treasurer,  Librarian  and  Curators  were  presented  as  usual  at  the 
annual  meeting,  and  were,  considering  circumstances,  satisfactory.  The  department  of 
Comparative  Anatomy  had  been  enriched  by  the  addition  before  mentioned  of  a  valuable 


88  HISTORICAL   SKETCH  OF  THE 

collection  of  the  skeletons  of  animals  suflbcatecl  at  the  fire  in  Portland  Street,  by  the  osteo. 
logical  collection  of  the  late  Dr.  Lane,  by  a  series  of  crania  from  Dr.  Henry  Bryant,  and 
by  a  skull  and  nearly  a  perfect  skeleton  of  a  gorilla  presented  by  Dr.  Otis  of  the  Navy. 

The  department  of  Geology  had  also  been  enriched  by  the  addition  of  specimens  show- 
ing tracks  of  animals,  pnrchased  from  Mr.  Field  of  Greenfield. 

The  Curator  of  Ethnology,  the  department  of  which  had  been  recently  formed,  acknowl- 
edged the  reception  of  the  varions  objects  of  art  and  mannflicture  presented  to  the  Society 
by  the  Boston  Marine  Society,  as  before  mentioned. 

At  the  election  of  officers,  Mr.  S.  H.  Scudder  was  chosen  Recording  Secretary  in  place 
of  Dr.  Samuel  Kneeland,  Avho  had  entered  the  service  of  the  United  States  as  surgeon  in 
the  army. 

The  office  of  Curator  of  Crustacea,  made  vacant  by  the  resignation  of  M.-.  Albert  Ord- 
way,  who  had  also  entered  the  army  of  the  United  States,  was  not  filled. 

This  year,  so  full  of  events  gratifying  to  the  members  and  cheering  to  their  hopes  for 
the  future,  did  not  j^ass  without  one  that  caused  sadness  in  the  hearts  of  all,  but  more  pav- 
ticularly  to  such  as  had  been  associated  in  the  work  of  the  Society  in  its  eai'lier  years. 
Reference  is  here  made  to  the  death  of  Dr.  Benjamin  D.  Greene,  which  took  jilace  on  the 
14th  of  October,  and  which  was  announced  to  the  Society  on  the  15th. 

Dr.  Bexjamin  D.  Greene. 

AVhen  the  good  and  the  wise  participate  in  the  formation  and  in  the  work  of  an  institu- 
tion, they  leave  an  impress  upon  its  character  not  to  be  effaced,  whilst  the  memorj'  of  their 
deeds  is  j'et  fresh  in  the  minds  of  those  who  succeed  them  ;  and  as  what  they  were,  and 
what  they  accomplished  is  not  only  a  delight  to  contemplate  but  an  inspiration  to  endeavor, 
it  becomes  a  sacred  duty  to  extend  and  perpetuate  a  knowledge  of  their  worth  and  labors. 
It  was  the  good  fortune  of  the  Society  to  have  associated  among  its  members  at  the  period 
of  its  origin  and  in  its  suljsefpient  history,  some  of  the  noblest  and  purest  minded  men 
that  the  conmumity  has  produced.  This  is  not  expressed  without  due  consideration,  and 
will  not  be  questioned  when  the  names  of  Dr.  B.  D.  Greene,  Rev.  F.  W.  P.  Greenwood, 
Dr.  John  Ware,  Dr.  J.  B.  S.  Jackson  and  Dr.  Jeffries  Wvman  are  recalled  to  mind  as  active 
workers,  to  say  nothing  of  many  others  whose  attainments  and  deeds  justly  earned  for 
them  the  esteem  and  reu:ard  of  all  who  knew  them. 

Among  those  mentioned,  none  enjoyed  the  respect  and  love  of  contemporaries  more 
than  the  honored  First  President  of  the  Society,  Dr.  Benjamin  D.  Greene,  and  a  knowledge 
of  his  virtues  is  only  necessary  to  cause  his  memory  to  be  revered  by  all  who  come  after, 
as  long  as  the  Society  shall  exist.  It  is  to  impart  tliis  knowledge  that  the  following  account 
of  him  is  given. 

Dr.  Greene  was  born  in  Domarara,  in  IT'Jo,  during  a  temporary  sojourn  of  his  parents 
there.  In  1812  he  graduated  at  Harvard  College  in  the  same  class  with  Charles  G.  Loring, 
Peleg  Sprague,  Henry  Ware  and  others  who  became  well  known  to  pul)lic  f  une  in  later 
days.  After  leaving  Cambridge  he  studied  law  at  Litchfield,  Conn.,  where  was  then  a  well- 
known  law  school,  and  was  later  admitted  a  member  of  the  Boston  bar.  His  subsequent 
career  cannot  be  better  given  than  by  quoting  the  words  of  a  near  and  dear  friend  and 


_::1r.SN< 


Ot^  i^c/ 


A-ejz^^^u^ 


BOSTON  SOCIETY   OF  NATURAL   HISTORY.  89 

connection,  Mrs.  Robert  C.  Waterston,  sister  of  Mrs.  Greene,  embodied  in  a  letter  respecting 
him.  They  Avere  as  follows:  "Dr.  Greene's  studies  at  Litchfield  were  rather  to  acquire  a 
general  knowledge  of  law  than  from  an  intention  to  pursue  it  as  a  profession,  and  his  tastes 
for  natural  history,  especially  botany,  led  him  to  turn  his  attention  to  medicine.  To  pur- 
sue this  study  he  went  abroad  and  was  a  student  in  London,  but  more  especially  in  Edin- 
burgh, where  he  passed  several  years.  Here  he  formed  the  acquaintance  of  men  who 
were  afterwards  widely  known  in  their  dilTerent  departments.  Among  them  was  William 
J.  Hooker,  afterwards  Sir  William  Hooker,  with  whom  a  friendship  arose  which  continued 
through  life.  The  intimacy  was  renewed  on  Mr.  Greene's  various  visits  to  England  and 
Scotland  ;  and  always  maintained  by  correspondence  and  the  interchange  of  botanical 
books  and  information,  as  well  as  by  mutual  expressions  of  lasting  affection. 

"  Mr.  Greene's  botanical  studies  greatly  interested  him  both  in  Europe  and  America. 
Forgetful  of  time  and  even  of  hunger,  he  would  go  out  in  the  country  in  the  morning  and 
not  return  until  night,  coming  back  laden  with  botanical  boxes  filled  with  specimens,  and 
then  spend  half  the  night  in  laying  each  in  its  separate  papers  with  the  careful  and  tender 
touch  peculiar  to  his  hand. 

"  Thus  besides  acquiring  two  professions,  he  gained  a  reputation  as  a  botanist  in  the  front 
rank  of  that  department  of  natural  history.  Added  to  these  attainments  he  had  com- 
mand of  several  modern  languages.  He  knew  much  and  said  little.  Constitutionally 
reserved  and  silent,  it  was  impossible  for  him  to  impart  what  he  had  acquired. 

"  Once  only  I  heard  him  express  a  regret  that  fluency  of  speech  or  writing  had  been 
denied  to  him.  Few  knew  how  richly  his  mind  was  stored  on  almost  every  subject. 
His  taste  for  the  fine  arts  made  him  a  just  judge  of  both  music  and  painting.  Of  pictures 
he  had  a  great  love  and  knowledge.  Plis  ample  fortune  was  the  means,  not  only  of  adorn- 
ing his  own  house  with  works  of  the  old  masters,  and  those  of  a  more  modern  school,  but 
also  of  encouraging  and  aiding  many  struggUng  workers  in  various  departments  of  '  man's 
endless  toil  and  endeavor,'  who  but  for  him  had  been  '  desolate  and  oppressed.'  His 
library  was  well  chosen  and  filled,  and  there  he  loved  to  abide  —  and  when  at  last  he 
passed  on  to  wider  regions  of  knowledge,  the  works  on  natural  history  as  well  as  liis 
Herbarium  were  at  his  request  transferred  to  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History. 
Mr.  Greene's  life  was  one  quite  aside  from  the  hurry  and  self-assertion  of  American  careers. 
He  possessed  many  qualities,  which,  had  he  practised  the  profession  of  medicine,  would 
have  made  him  an  able  and  certainly  a  beloved  physician.  His  was  the  magnetic  touch 
of  a  born  healer,  and  the  strength  and  tenderness  of  his  presence  m  the  sick  room  was 
of  itself  a  restorative  power.  I  knew  well  that  character  whose  'still  waters  ran  deep.' 
His  low  voice  was  seldom  raised  excejit  to  reljuke  wrong,  but  the  flash  of  his  wrath  was 
all  the  more  startling,  because  it  so  seldom  fell  from  the  calm  and  quiet  sky  of  his  serene 
days.  After  he  left  us  in  1862,  I  arranged  at  my  sister's  request  a  simple  monument  to 
be  placed  over  his  resting  place  at  Mount  Auburn.  An  ivy  plant  climbs  over  the  tablet 
and  half  hides  a  cross  on  its  summit,  typifying  that  sincere  faith  and  reverence  which  lay 
in  his  soul,  seldom  outwardly  revealed.  To  please  a  wish  of  my  o-wn  heart  there  was  cut 
on- the  marble  the  grass  which  was  named  for  Mr.  Greene,  by  Thos.  Nuttall,  when  he  dis- 
covered it  on  the  Western  plains,  the  Greenia  Arkansia."  To  this  beautiful  and  just  tribute 
of  one  who  knew  more  of  Dr.  Greene  in  his  domestic  life,  than  any  other  who  has  written 


90  HISTORICAL    SKETCH    OF   THE 

of  him,  it  may  seem  unnecessary  to  add  anything  toncliing  his  private  character  and  its 
influence.  Yet  the  subject  is  too  interesting  not  to  dwell  upon,  especially  as  there  are 
words  of  Dr.  Asa  Gray,  not  in  print,  concerning  Dr.  Greene,  which  should  not  be  omitted 
here.  In  referring  to  a  brief  notice  written  by  himself  of  Dr.  Greene,  published  in  the 
Proceedings  of  the  American  Academy  of  Arts  and  Sciences,  and  in  which  remarks  were 
made  upon  his  well  known  generosity  in  placing  the  results  of  his  observations  and  his 
collections  in  the  hands  of  those  who  could  make  tlio  best  use  of  them  for  the  advance- 
ment of  science,  he  says  that  the  notice  given  "  does  not  make  enough  of  the  lilierality, 
the  winsomeness  and  the  very  quiet  generosity  of  Mr.  Greene,  Avhich  made  itself  felt  in  a 
most  spontaneous,  unobtrusive  way,  as  if  it  were  something  in  the  atmosphere,  a  delicate, 
grateful,  subtle  aroma,  rather  than  anything  consciously  put  forth."  Most  fitting  words 
these  will  be  judged  by  all  who  had  the  pleasure  of  personal  intercourse  with  the  suljject 
of  them. 

Of  Dr.  Greene  as  a  botanist  it  may  be  said  that  he  stood  deservedly  high  in  the  estima- 
tion of  those  who  knew  him  best  in  this  relation.  He  collected  extensively  the  plants 
of  our  country,  and  studied  them  carefully,  so  that  his  knowledge  of  them  was 
thorough.  Dr.  Gray,  in  writing  of  him,  states  that  after  he  ceased  to  collect,  from  failing 
health,  he  still  showed  a  real  interest  in  his  plants  and  from  time  to  time  "  verbally  gave 
me  critical  remarks  such  as  would  only  be  made  by  a  keen  and  accurate  observer." 
Of  Dr.  Greene's  botanical  work  less  can  be  said  than  might  be  expected  concerning  the 
knowledge  he  possessed  on  the  suljject,  and  his  desire  that  others  should  profit  by  his  ac- 
quirements. No  doubt  this  was  largely  due  to  that  want  of  fluency  in  expressing  what  he 
knew  either  in  writing  or  by  speech,  to  which  he  himself  feelingly  alluded.  Dr.  Gray,  who 
knew  more  discriminately  what  he  accomplished  in  his  favorite  pursuit,  said  that  his  retir- 
ing, contemplative,  unambitious  disposition  rendered  him  averse  to  the  toils,  and  wholly 
indifferent  to  the  fame  of  authorship  ;  that  his  services  to  science  were  in  his  helpfulness  to 
others,  by  making  botanical  collections,  and  by  forming  a  library  of  botanical  works;  the 
plants  and  the  books  being  always  at  the  disposal  of  those  who  needed  them  for  scientific 
research. 

The  action  of  the  Society  upon  the  death  of  Dr.  Gi'eene  is  presented  as  follows : 
On  the  15th  day  of  October,  as  before  mentioned,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Waterston  announced  to 
the  Society  the  death  of  the  First  President  of  tlie  Society,  Dr.  B.  D.  Greene.  He  spoke  of 
the  high  personal  character  and  the  attainments  of  the  deceased,  and  of  the  great  interest 
he  had  ever  felt  in  the  welfare  of  the  Society.  Remarks  were  also  made  by  the  President, 
Jeffries  Wyman,  and  by  Professor  Agassiz  and  Dr.  Pickering,  expressive  of  their  great 
respect  for  his  memory.  Upon  motion  made  by  Mr.  Waterston,  a  committee  was  appointed 
to  take  such  action  as  seemed  proper  in  view  of  the  sad  event,  consisting  of  Dr.  Gould, 
Professor  Rogers,  Professor  Agassiz  and  Mr.  Waterston. 

At  the  next  meeting  of  the  Society,  held  Nov.  5th,  Dr.  Gould  made  a  brief  address,  giv- 
ing an  account  of  Dr.  Greene's  participation  in  the  formation  of  the  Society  and  in  the  pro- 
ceedings of  its  early  days,  after  Avhich  Professor  Rogers  followed,  dwelling  more  at  length 
upon  some  points  of  interest  in  the  life  and  character  of  the  deceased.  "  It  is  not  often,"  he 
said,  "  that  the  possessor  of  a  liberal  fortune  is  found  giving  his  heart  and  time  to  the  labor 
of  scientific  studies  which,  however  ennobling  and  replete  with  the  finest  of  enjoyments, 
have  as  we  know,  nothing  in  sympathy  with  the  luxurious  ease  and  brilliant  excitements  of 
what  is  called  societv." 


BOSTON   SOCIETY   OF  NATURAL   HISTORY.  91 

"Such  tastes  and  labors  as  marked  the  life  of  our  late  colleague  are  the  exception,  and 
we  are  therefore  especially  called  on  to  honor  the  memory  of  him  who  furnished  so  beauti- 
ful an  example.  But  qualities  still  more  rare  characterized  the  pursuits  and  convei'sation 
of  Dr.  Greene.  No  one  could  fliil  to  reuiark  his  singular  freedom  from  the  ambitious 
impulses  which,  whilst  they  stimulate  the  labors  of  men  of  science,  so  often  dim  their  aspi- 
rations for  what  is  true  and  beneficent.  With  him  the  love  of  knowledge  was  a  sufficient 
incentive  and  adequate  reward.  Delighted  to  store  his  mind  with  the  beautiful  truths 
gathered  from  the  ample  sources  around  him,  and  ever  ready  to  help  others  devoting  them- 
selves to  kindred  branches  of  inquiry,  and  indeed  to  any  scientific  pursuits,  his  singular 
modesty  shrank  from  the  least  public  exhibition  of  his  various  knowledge,  and  in  the  eyes 
of  those  who  knew  his  solid  and  diversified  culture,  gave  to  his  social  character  its  most 
peculiar  and  winning  charm."  Professor  Rogers  closed  b}^  offering  the  following  resolutions : 

"  Resolved,  That  while  it  is  the  duty  of  the  Society  to  hold  in  grateful  recollection  all  who 
at  any  time  have  participated  in  the  labors  or  helped  to  enlarge  its  means  of  scientific  use- 
fulness, it  is  under  especial  obligations  to  honor  the  memory  of  the  founders  and  early 
patrons  of  the  Society,  whose  earnest  zeal  gave  the  first  strong  impulse  to  the  pursuit  of 
natural  history  in  the  community,  and  whose  liberal  contributions  and  fostering  cai'e  laid 
the  foundation  for  those  labors  which  have  won  for  the  Society  an  honorable  place  in  the 
history  of  scientific  investigatioia. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Society,  while  deeply  regretting  the  loss  which  it  has  sustained  in 
the  death  of  its  late  associate.  Dr.  Benj.  D  Greene,  has  a  sad  pleasure  in  placing  on  record 
an  expression  of  its  grateful  and  enduring  reverence  for  his  memory  as  one  of  the  most 
zealous  of  its  founders  and  its  first  acting  President,  and  as  one  of  the  most  liberal  of  the 
patrons  and  co-workers  of  the  Society. 

"  Resolved,  That  in  expressing  our  sense  of  the  great  value  of  the  services  of  our  late  asso- 
ciate in  this  Society,  and  of  his  work  as  a  cultivator  and  promoter  of  natural  science,  we 
would  dwell  with  affectionate  interest  on  the  gentle  graces  of  character  for  which  he  was 
remarkable,  and  especially  on  the  shrinking  modesty  and  reserve  which  veiled  so  beauti- 
fully the  knowledge  and  culture  they  were  unable  to  conceal." 

Nov.  19th,  18G2,  by  vote  of  the  Society,  the  names  of  all  persons  who  had  contributed 
one  hundred  dollars  or  upwards  towards  the  erection  of  the  new  Ijuilding,  were  entered  in 
the  records  as  Patrons. 

1863.  In  April  of  this  year  there  arrived  from  London  casts  from  the  bones  of  the 
Megatherium  in  possession  of  the  British  Museum,  presented  by  Joshua  Bates,  Esq.  These 
were  subsequently  movmted  by  Mr.  George  Sceva,  under  the  direction  of  Dr.  James  C. 
White.  The  huge  animal  form  thus  reconstructed  has  since  been  one  of  the  most  striking 
features  of  our  main  hall. 

At  the  annual  meeting  in  May  it  was  announced  that  the  Society  had  been  the  recipient 
of  a  bequest  of  $9,000  from  our  late  associate  and  first  President,  Dr.  Benjamin  D. 
Greene. 

The  Treasurer's  Report  showed  receipts  of  ^72, -307.70,  and  expenditures  $61, 221. .31, 
leaving  in  his  hands  $11,283.45.  Of  the  receipts  $46,267  had  been  paid  in  especially  for 
building  purposes,  and  of  the  expenditures  $58,685.75  had  been  paid  towards  the  new 
buildins:. 


92  HISTORICAL    SKETCH   OF   THE 

The  Report  of  the  Librarian  mentions  the  munificent  bequest  of  the  library  of  Dr. 
Greene,  comprising  1,500  volumes  or  parts,  many  of  which  were  costly  illustrated  works, 
mostly  upon  botany.  This  was  the  largest  addition  ever  made  to  the  Library  at  any 
one  time. 

The  Curators  had  but  little  to  report  except  that  the  collections  were  safely  housed, 
awaiting  accommodations  for  exhibition  in  the  new  building. 

At  the  election  of  officers  for  the  ensuing  year,  Mr.  William  T.  Brigham  was  chosen 
Curator  of  Mineralogy  in  jDlace  of  Dr.  John  Bacon,  and  Mr.  Thomas  T.  Bouve  was  chosen 
Curator  of  Geology  and  Paleontology  instead  of  Curator  of  Geology  alone,  which  office  he 
had  previously  held,  the  two  being  combined  in  one  department. 

The  Building  Committee  had  continued  to  act  vigorously  in  the  business  of  construction 
and  finish.  Already  the  structure  was  approaching  completion,  and  questions  concerning 
ornamentation,  railing  for  balconies,  tiling,  heating  ap)paratus,  library  and  other  cases,  had 
recently  occupied  their  attention. 

Li  October  the  announcement  was  made  of  the  sudden  death  of  Dr.  George  Hayward, 
one  of  the  members  of  the  LiuuDean  Society,  and  subsequently  one  of  the  founders  and  orig- 
inal members  of  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History.  He  was  Fii-st  Vice-President  frcm 
May,  1830  to  May,  18-32. 

October  21st  Mr.  Alpheus  Hyatt  was  elected  Curator  of  Conch ology. 

On  the  4th  of  November,  the  President  of  the  Society  reported  on  behalf  of  the  Build- 
ing Committee  that  the  new  building  was  nearly  ready  for  occupancy  and  that  the  Library 
room  was  quite  so.  It  was  therefore  voted  —  That  the  Library  be  moved  forthwith  and 
that  the  next  meeting  of  the  Society  bo  held  at  the  new  building,  if  gas  is  previously 
introduced  into  it.  It  was  also  voted  —  That  the  Curators  be  authorized  to  remove  their 
collections  as  soon  as  convenient.  In  accordance  with  the  vote,  and  gas  having  been  in 
the  meantime  carried  into  the  library  room,  the  Society  on  the  18th  of  November  for  the 
first  time,  met  in  their  new  and  caj^acious  building,  79  members  being  present.  The 
library  had  already,  since  the  previous  meeting,  been  removed  to  the  room,  and  now  oc- 
cupied the  shelves  of  the  cases. 

In  November  of  this  year,  another  of  the  founders  of  the  Society  passed  away, 
Mr.  Francis  Alger. 

At  the  meeting  held  Dec.  2d,  Mr.  T.  T.  Bouve  remarked  that  before  proceeding  to  busi- 
ness it  seemed  meet  that  the  members  of  tlie  Society  should  express  their  appreciation  of 
the  loss  it  had  sustained  in  the  death  of  their  friend  and  associate,  Mr.  Francis  Alser. 

"  Public  spirited,  he  always  felt  a  strong  interest  in  all  institutions  designed  for  the  wel- 
fiire  of  the  people,  and  often  gave  of  his  means  for  their  endoAvment.  Especially  was  he 
interested  in  the  promulgation  of  knowledge  relating  to  his  favorite  branch  of  science, 
that  of  mineralogy.  To  further  this  he  was  always  ready  to  give  specimens,  inviting 
ihose  interested  in  the  study  to  select  from  his  duplicates." 

"  But  a  feAv  days  since  he  suggested  to  me  his  intention  to  send  some  very  large  speci- 
mens of  ber^'l  and  other  minci'als  to  adorn  our  grounds,  and  such  Avas  his  interest  in  the 
Society  that  1  cannot  but  think  his  large  collection  Avould  have  come  into  our  possession 
at  an  early  day,  if  his  sudden  departure  had  not  prevented  the  fruition  of  his  Avishes." 


BOSTON   SOCIETY   OF   NATURAL   HISTORY.  93 

At  the  request  of  the  Society,  Dr.  Chas.  T.  Jackson  prepared  a  notice  of  Mr.  Alger  for 
the  Proceedings,  a  considerable  portion  of  Avhich  -will  be  presented  here. 

•'  Our  late  associate,  Francis  Alger,  son  of  Cyrus  Alger,  was  born  in  Bridgewater,  in  this 
State,  March  8th,  1807.  In  youth  he  was  not  studious,  and  had  only  a  common  school  edu- 
cation. His  taste  for  study  commenced  in  1824,  when  his  attention  was  first  drawn  to 
the  science  of  mineralogy.  To  his  love  for  that  science  he  attributed  his  after  progress  in 
general  learning  and  scientific  attainments.  One  branch  of  natural  history  leads  to 
another,  and  Mr.  Alger  soon  found  himself  engaged  in  the  study  of  shells  and  plants,  first 
the  fossils  and  then  their  analogues  in  the  living  world.  His  library  shows  how  exten- 
sively he  studied  in  the  various  branches  of  natural  history ;  l)ut  it  was  to  his  first  love, 
mineralogy,  that  he  devoted  his  chief  attention." 

Having  occasion  to  accompany  his  father  on  an  excursion  for  business  purposes  to  Nova 
Scotia,  Mr.  Alger  collected  minerals  from  near  Digby  Neck,  and  in  the  trap  rocks  of  Gran- 
ville, a  list  of  which  he  published  in  the  Boston  Journal  of  Philosophy  and  Arts,  upon  his 
return  home.  He  also  published  a  brief  description  of  Nova  Scotia  minerals  in  the  Amer- 
ican Journal  of  Arts  and  Sciences. 

In  1827,  Mr.  Alger  and  Dr.  Chas.  T.  Jackson  made  a  full  exj^loration  of  Nova  Scotia, 
and  collected  a  large  number  of  minerals,  the  species  of  which  they  described  by  a  joint 
essay  in  the  14th  and  15tli  volumes  of  the  American  Journal  of  Science,  extra  copies 
being  freely  distriliuted  gratuitously  to  scientific  men. 

In  1829,  Mr.  Alger  and  Dr.  Jackson  again  visited  Nova  Scotia,  and  making  many  new 
discoveries,  prepared  a  revised  memoir  for  the  American  Academy  of  Arts  and  Sciences. 

Dr.  Jackson  in  his  notice  went  on  to  say,  referring  to  their  work  together : 

"  In  the  second  joint  excursion  a  schooner  was  chartered  for  the  voyage,  and  served  as 
a  home  along  the  wild  coasts  of  Nova  Scotia.  Though  Mr.  Alger  was  always  very  sea 
sick  when  in  the  rough  waters  of  the  Bay  of  Fundy,  he  bore  the  aflliction  with  great 
patience,  and  when  on  shore  worked  with  the  most  enthusiastic  zeal  in  exploring  for  min- 
erals. It  was  a  great  pleasure  to  witness  his  joy  when  a  new  crystal  oven  in  the  trap 
rocks,  or  brilliantly  studded  agate  ball  was  broken  open,  disclosing  to  view  the  '  flowers  of 
the  mineral  kingdom.'  He  fairly  danced  with  delight,  and  thouglit  no  labor  too  severe, 
when  such  rewards  were  to  be  won.  His  part  in  the  Memoir  was  fairly  borne,  the  work 
of  writing  the  descriptions  being  carefully  and  equally  divided.  Soon  after  its  publica- 
tion, Mr.  Alger  was  elected  a  Fellow  of  the  American  Academy,  and  took  an  active  inter- 
est in  the  meetings,  occasionally  communicating  some  of  his  scientific  observations. 

.  .  "  Having  become  interested  in  the  iron  and  zinc  mines  of  Sussex  Co.,  New  Jersey, 
he  made  that  locality,  before  well  known  to  the  scientific  world,  still  more  famous  for  its 
rare  and  unique  minerals,  and  spread  them  broadcast  over  the  mineralogical  world.  He 
often  made  excursions  into  the  state  of  New  Hampshire,  and  purchased  some  of  the  inter- 
esting mines  more  for  the  sake  of  obtaining  specimens  of  the  minerals  they  produced 
than  from  any  hope  of  pecuniary  gain.  He  would  never  sell  any  mine  without  reserving 
the  right  to  all  the  fine  specimens  of  crystals  that  should  be  got  out  in  mining.  Finding 
that  he  could  not  extract  and  bring  home  to  his  cabinet  a  large  beryl  of  five  tons  weight 
which  exists  in  Grafton,  N.  H.,  he  purchased  the  hill,  had  the  crystal  uncovered  of  rock, 
and  considered  it  as  in  his  cabinet  and  one  of  his  specimens. 


94  HISTORICAL   SKETCH  OF  THE 

"  His  zeal,  instead  of  cooling  off,  seemed  constantly  to  be  intlamed.  and  I  never  knew  the 
time  when  his  eyes  would  not  spai-kle  at  the  sight  of  a  new  or  beautiful  mineral. 
In  New  York  he  met  a  young  man  who  had  a  guard-chain  made  up  of  tine  crystals  of 
gold,  every  one  of  them  far  better  than  could  be  found  in  the  cabinets  of  Europe.  He  at 
once  l)OUght  the  chain  at  a  liigh  price,  and  had  the  crystals  carefully  removed  and  added 
to  his  cabinet." 

In  1S49  Mr.  Alger  received  the  honorary  degree  of  A.  M.  from  Harvard  University. 

Of  Mr.  Alger's  personal  character  we  know  that  he  was  a  kind  hearted  man,  a  firm  friend 
and  worthy  Christian.  He  was  always  disposed  to  apologize  for  the  short-comings  and 
faults  of  others,  and  he  never  spoke  a  hard  word  except  of  those  whom  he  considered  irre- 
claimably  vicious,  and  such  men  he  loathed  and  did  not  like  even  to  name.  Francis  Alger's 
career  in  this  world  is  now  ended.  He  died  in  the  field  of  his  public  duty.  He  wns  en- 
gaged in  the  city  of  Washington  in  perfecting  shrapnel  to  be  employed  in  restoring  the 
union  of  our  divided  States.  Exposure  to  cold  and  wet  weather,  with  fatigue  and  neg- 
lect of  proper  personal  care  of  himself,  lirought  on  a  sudden  attack  of  congestion  of  the 
lungs  which  terminated  in  typhoid  pneumonia,  of  which  he  died  on  the  27th  of  November, 
in  the  fifty-sixth  year  of  his  age. 

Mr.  Alger's  scientific  writings  were  mostly  essays  upon  minerals  pulilished  in  the  Ameri- 
can Journal  of  Science  and  Arts,  in  the  Proceedings  of  the  American  Association  for  the 
Advancement  of  Science,  and  in  the  Journal  and  Proceedings  of  the  Boston  Society  of 
Natural  History.  His  most  important  work  was  what  he  modestly  entitled  "Alger's 
Phillips's  Mineralogy."  It  was  an  edition  of  Phillips's  Mineralogy  increased  by  Mr.  Alger's 
additions  more  than  one  half,  the  result  of  his  laljor  for  many  years. 

The  Society  passed  the  following  resolutions: 

"  Hcsolved,  That  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History  has  learned,  with  profound  sor- 
row, the  death  of  their  \iiUi  associate  and  friend,  Francis  Alger,  one  of  the  founders  of  the 
Society  and  for  years  an  efficient  Curator  in  the  department  of  Mineralogy. 

"  Resolved,  That  this  Society  recognizes  in  Mr.  Alger  a  true  lover  of  science,  an  active 
and  earnest  collaborator,  animated  with  a  kindly  spirit,  calculated  to  win  the  friendship  of 
all  who  knew  him,  and  to  excite  an  interest  in  the  branches  of  science  to  which  he  was 
devoted." 

On  December  2d,  Mr.  A.  S.  Packard,  Jr.,  was  elected  Curator  of  Crustacea. 

1864.  The  new  year  opened  auspiciously  for  the  Society,  and  3'et  there  were  sufficient 
reasons  for  anxiety  concerning  the  future.  Dazzled  b_v  the  success  which  had  followed  their 
endeavors  to  secure  for  themselves  a  structure  adequate  to  the  requirements  of  a  great 
institution,  they  but  imperfectly  realized  the  enormous  expenses  that  necessarily  attend 
such  woi-k  as  that  to  which  they  were  now  pledged.  There  was  imminent  danger  that  the 
income  derivable  from  all  sources  at  command  would  fall  fixr  short  of  the  amount  required 
to  accomplish  what  was  now  expected  of  tliem.  The  following  extracts  from  the  records  of 
the  first  meeting  of  the  Society  held  January  16th,  will  show  what  reasons  the  members 
had  for  new  joy  and  congratulation  : 

'•  Mr.  T.  T.  Bouve  arose  to  speak  of  the  financial  condition  of  the  Society  and  its  enlarged 
needs  in  the  new  building,  showing  that  the  capital  which  had  hitherto  barely  supported 
the  Society,  would  now   be  manifestly  insufficient  for  its  maintenance.     He  then  read  a 


BOSTON   SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL   HISTORY.  95 

letter  recently  received  from  Dr.  William  J.  Walker,  to  whom  the  Society  was  already  so 
largely  indebted,  wherein  he  promised  to  give  ^20,000  more  on  condition  that  others  would 
subscribe  a  like  amount,  the  whole  to  be  funded  and  used  by  the  Society  as  a  working  cap- 
ital. In  conclusion  Mr.  Bouve  urged  very  strongly  that  every  member  should  give  his 
direct  personal  effort  toward  the  raising  of  the  sum  re^^uisite  to  secure  so  generous  a 
donation." 

Rev.  Mr.  Waterston  thought  ''  the  time  auspicious  for  the  endeavor,  since  the  Society, 
Avithin  the  means  given  for  the  object,  has  erected  a  handsome  and  spacious  edifice,  an  orna- 
ment to  the  city,  and  most  suitable  for  its  wants.  We  have  done  all  we  proposed  to  do  in 
the  outset  and  have  not  overburdened  ourselves  with  debt  by  overstepping  the  limits  of 
the  fund  set  apart  for  this  special  purpose,  and  now  in  order  to  secure  a  w'orking  capital 
which  shall  forever  place  in  security  our  valuable  collections,  enable  us  to  make  a  proper 
exhibition  of  these  to  the  puljlic,  and  put  us  upon  a  proper  basis  as  an  active,  progressive 
Society,  we  call  upon  the  public  to  subscribe  for  this  object,  |20,000;  failing  to  secure 
which,  we  have  barely  enough  to  maintain  the  building  in  proper  repair,  leaving  out  of 
consideration  our  necessities  for  the  proper  exhibition  and  ultimate  security  of  our  cabinet, 
and  for  the  publication  of  our  Proceedings  and  Memoirs." 

Others  spoke  earnestly  upon  the  matter,  urging  prompt  action,  and  finally  a  Committee 
of  Subscription  was  appointed,  consisting  of  Prof.  Jeffries  Wyman,  Dr.  A.  A.  Gould,  Dr.  C. 
T.  Jackson,  Prof  William  B.  Rogers,  Rev.  R.  C.  Waterston,  Dr.  Samuel  Cabot,  F.  W.  Lin- 
coln, Dr.  Henry  Bryant,  Dr.  Charles  Ware,  Dr.  D.  Humjihreys  Storer,  George  B.  Emerson, 
Thomas  T.  Bouve,  Dr.  S.  L.  Abbot,  M.  D.  Ross,  R.  C.  Greenleaf,  J.  D.  Philbrick,  Edward 
Pickering,  N.  L.  Hooper,  Lemuel  Shaw,  C.  J.  Sprague,  Charles  C.  Sheafe,  J.  D.  Kidder, 
Thomas  Gaffield,  M.  S.  Scudder,  and  Dr.  J.  C.  White. 

This  committee  issued  a  circular  setting  forth  the  need  of  a  working  fund  to  cai'ry  on 
efficiently  the  objects  of  the  Society,  and  mentioning  the  munificent  offer  of  Dr.  William  J. 
Walker  to  give  ^20,000  towards  this,  if  a  like  sum  should  be  obtained  by  subscription. 

To  facilitate  obtaining  signatures  for  .f  100,  an  alteration  was  made  in  the  By-laws  by 
which  the  payment  of  this  sum  would  be  requisite  to  constitute  any  one  a  life  memlier, 
and  it  was  understood  that  all  parties  subscribing  that  amount  towards  the  working  fund 
should  be  made  life  members. 

Li  April,  Mr.  Bouve  announced  the  death  of  Dr.  Edward  Hitchcock  of  Amherst,  an 
honorary  member,  and  subsequently  made  a  short  address  upon  his  character,  ending  with 
a  presentation  of  the  following  resolution: 

"  Resolved,  That  the  members  of  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History  recognize  in  the 
death  of  their  late  distinguished  associate,  Dr.  Edward  Hitchcock,  the  loss  to  themselves, 
and  to  the  public,  of  a  man  of  comprehensive  ability,  of  untiring  devotion  to  the  cause  of 
science,  and  of  great  private  worth." 

A  few  days  previous  to  the  annual  meeting  of  this  year,  died  one  who  had  been  the  first 
of  the  Second  Vice-Presidents  of  the  Society  at  the  time  of  its  foundation,  Dr.  John  Ware. 

He  was  the  son  of  the  Rev.  Heniy  Ware,  for  thirty-five  years  Professor  of  Theology  at 
Harvard  University,  and  was  born  at  Hingham,  Mass.,  Dec.  19th,  1795.  He  graduated  at 
Harvard  in  1813,  and  received  the  degree  of  M.  D.  in  1816.  Li  1817  he  removed  to  Bos- 
ton, where  by  steady  devotion  to  his  profes.sion,  he  gradually  built  up  an  extensive  practice. 


96  HISTORICAL   SKETCH   OF   THE  , 

In  1832  he  was  aiopointed  adjunct  Professor  of  tlie  Theory  and  Practice  of  Medicine  iu 
Harvard  Universitv,  and  succeeded  Dr.  James  Jackson  in  1836,  holding  the  chair  until 
1858.     He  was  President  of  the  Mass.  Medical  Society  from  1848  to  1852. 

Dr.  Ware  Avas  one  of  a  family  distinguished  for  the  talents  of  its  members.  His  father 
and  several  brothers  were  eminent  as  preachers  and  theological  writers ;  one,  William,  was 
the  author  of  the  widely  known  classical  novels  of  "  Zenobia "  and  "  Aurelian ;"  and 
Henry  possessed  a  fine  poetical  talent.  More  than  one  of  the  brothers  achieved  great 
success  in  the  practice  of  medicine. 

Dr.  Ware's  contributions  to  the  litei'ature  of  his  profession  were  numerous  and  very  able; 
and  some  of  them  exercised  a  great  influence,  especially  the  essays  on  delirium  tremens 
and  on  croup.  He  was  a  most  careful  observer,  a  mature  thinker,  and  very  thorough  as  a 
teacher.  His  great  liljcrality  and  candor  were  as  marked  as  his  ability ;  and  his  gentle  and 
lovable  nature  rounded  off  a  character  which  was  appreciated  as  it  deserved  to  be,  Ijy  all 
who  had  the  good  fortune  to  be  cared  for  professionally  by  him,  or  to  enjoy  his  friendly 
intercourse.  As  a  physician,  he  was  wholly  devoted  and  faithful,  as  he  was  in  all  other 
relations  of  life. 

Dr.  Ware  died  in  Boston  on  the  29th  of  April,  1864,  in  the  seventieth  year  of  his  age. 

At  the  annual  meeting  in  May,  the  Treasurer,  before  presenting  his  report,  announced 
the  agreeable  intelligence  that  the  subscriptions  to  the  working  fund  had  reached  the  re- 
quired sum  of  .$20,000,  and  that  consequently  the  $40,000  was  secured. 

His  report  stated  that  the  receipts  for  the  year  amounted  to  $24,955.90,  which  added  to 
the  balance  of  last  year,  made  $36,239.35;  the  exj^enditures  had  been  $32,121.16,  leaving 
a  cash  balance  of  $4,118.19. 

Of  the  $24,955.90  received,  $7,700  were  from  subscriptions  already  paid  on  the  working 
fund.     Of  the  $32,121.16  paid  $27,778.07  had  been  on  the  new  building. 

The  Librarian,  Mr.  Chas.  K.  Dillaway,  after  serving  the  Society  for  the  long  period  of 
thirty-one  years,  having  been  elected  in  1833,  in  tendering  his  thirty-first  and  final  ]-eport, 
resigned  the  position  so  long  and  faithfully  held,  much  to  the  regret  of  the  members,  to 
whom  he  was  ■  endeared  by  long  and  intimate  association.  The  record  of  the  meeting 
states  that  in  presenting  the  report,  Mr.  Dillaway  gave  an  interesting  account  of  the  pro- 
gress of  the  Society  in  every  department  during  his  connection  with  it.  The  Library,  he 
said,  at  the  time  of  his  first  annual  report  contained  about  200  volumes;  now  we  have  over 
6000  of  great  value.  In  1833  we  had  published  nothing  and  had  no  exchanges  ;  now  our 
Journal  and  Proceedings  go  to  every  kindred  Society  in  America  and  Europe.  Since  the 
last  annual  meeting  there  had  been  received  from  donations  915  volumes  and  559  pam- 
phlets and  parts  of  volumes,  including  the  munificent  bequest  of  the  late  Dr.  Greene  ; 
from  exchanges  40  volumes  and  197  parts  of  volumes,  making  with  some  from  other  sources 
an  addition  of  970  volumes  and  778  parts  of  volumes.  Since  our  removal  to  this  building 
every  book  has  been  numbered,  labelled,  catalogued  and  placed  upon  the  shelves,  for  a 
great  part  of  which  labor  the  Society  was  imder  obligations  to  Mr.  Samuel  H.  Scudder. 

The  warm  thanks  of  the  Society  were  voted  to  Mr.  Dillaway  for  his  long  and  efficient 
services,  and  he  was  requested  by  unanimous  vote  to  make  use  of  the  rooms  of  the  Society 
for  jarivate  instruction  as  heretofore. 


BOSTON   SOCIETY   OF   NATURAL  HISTORY.  97 

The  Curators  having  now  placed  their  collections  in  the  new  building  were  enabled 
generally  to  report  upon  their  magnitude  and  condition.  It  will  be  well  to  present  here, 
now  that  the  Society  starts  upon  a  new  era  of  activity,  the  substance  of  what  was  stated 
respecting  tlie  cabinet. 

The  Curator  of  Ornithology  reported  the  collection  of  birds,  notwithstanding  the  time  it 
was  stored  in  Bulfinch  Street,  to  be  in  as  good  order  as  when  it  was  taken  from  the  old 
building  in  Mason  Street ;  that  several  largje  additions  had  been  made  to  it  since  enterino- 
the  new  building,  principally  by  the  Smithsonian  Institution  and  by  himself;  and  that  the 
whole  number  of  mounted  birds  is  now  more  than  twenty-five  hundred. 

The  Curator  of  Comjiarative  Anatomy  reported  that  the  collection  of  his  department 
had  all  been  removed  in  good  condition,  and  that  the  skeletons  and  parts  of  skeletons  had 
been  arranged  in  the  places  allotted  to  them ;  that  the  skins  not  in  the  hands  of  the  taxi- 
dermist, for  want  of  money,  were  in  the  cellar  exposed  to  injury  from  insects.  The  collec- 
tion was  briefly  described  as  follows  : 

Mammals:  skeletons,  mounted  73,  unmounted  25;  parts  of  skeletons,  107;  skulls,  279; 
teeth,  93. 

Birds :  skeletons,  25 ;  parts  of  skeletons,  56  ;  skulls,  87. 

Reptiles  :  skeletons,  13  ;  parts  of  skeletons,  8  ;  skulls.  21. 

Fish :  skeletons,  0  ;  parts  of  skeletons,  57 ;  skulls,  21. 

Alcoholic  specimens,  100  ;  horns,  50;  miscellaneous,  25;  skins  not  estimated. 

During  the  past  year  the  large  collection  of  mammalian  skeletons  which  came  into  the 
possession  of  the  Society  at  the  burning  of  the  Menagerie  in  1861,  had  been  mounted  in  a 
very  correct  and  beautiful  manner  by  Mr.  George  Sceva. 

Several  valuable  donations  had  been  received,  the  prin>'ipal  donors  Ijeing  Dr.  Henry 
Bryant,  Mr.  George  Sceva,  Mr.  C.  J.  Sprague,  Dr.  Borland,  Mr.  W.  H.  Dall,  Dr.  B.  Joy 
Jeffries  and  Mr.  J.  M.  Barnard. 

The  Curator  of  Herpetology  reported  that  there  were  in  the  collection  representatives  of 
500  species.  During  the  winter  and  spring  much  work  was  done  in  arranging  them  and  in 
placing  a  certain  number  of  each  species  in  fresh  bottles  and  clean  alcohol.  Some  speci- 
mens had  become  worthless  and  were  thrown  away.  The  reptiles  of  Massachusetts  were 
tolerably  well  represented,  but  many  common  species  were  lacking  which  the  Curator  hoped 
to  obtain  before  the  next  annual  meeting. 

The  Curator  of  Ichthyology  reported  that  the  fishes  had  not  been  materially  injured  by 
their  storage  in  Bulfinch  Street.  He  stated,  however,  that  when  they  were  carried  there 
from  Mason  Street  the  poor  specimens  thrown  away  left  a  deficiency  in  Massachusetts  fishes 
which  he  expected  might  be  supplied  during -the  season.  This  is  the  first  indication  given 
of  the  fate  of  the  magnificent  collection  of  Massachusetts  fishes,  largely  tj'pe  specimens, 
collected  by  Dr.  D.  Humphreys  Storer,  and  presented  by  him  to  the  Society.  The  want  of 
jars  and  alcohol  was  strongly  urged  to  the  attention  of  the  Society. 

Tile  collection  was  stated  to  consist  of  280  species,  800  specimens  from  North  America; 
80  species,  250  specimens  from  the  West  Indies  and  Bermuda ;  45  species,  62  specimens 
±rom  the  fresh  waters  of  South  America;  8  species,  9  specimens  from  Africa;  14  species, 
16  specimens  from  Europe;  115  species,  197  specimens  from  the  Hawaiian  Islands;  60 
species,  236  specimens  of  duplicates  for  exchange;  25-  species, -200  specimens  dry,  from 
various  localities.     In  all  027  species,  and  1770  specimens. 


98  HISTORICAL   SKETCH   OF   THE 

The  Curator  of  Crustacea  reported  that  the  collection  had  been  removed  without  serious 
injury.  The  additions  during  the  year  were  a  few  native  forms,  presented  by  Mr.  W.  H. 
Dall  of  Medford.  The  collection  contains  122  species  of  alcoholic  specimens,  198  species 
of  dry  specimens. 

The  Curator  of  Oology  reported  that  the  original  collections  of  the  Society  liad  been 
increased  ])y  the  local  collections  of  Mr.  Thoreau  of  Concord  and  Mr.  W.  H.  Ilenck  of 
Dedham.     The  number  of  specimens  belonging  to  the  department  was  not  reported. 

The  Curator  of  Conchology  reported  considerable  donations  of  shells  from  Dr.  Gould, 
Dr.  Gundlach  of  Cuba,  and  Mr.  J.  M.  Barnard,  together  about  500  species,  but  made  no 
mention  of  the  number  in  the  cabinet. 

The  Curator  of  Botany  reported  an  immense  amount  of  Avork  done  by  him  in  arranging 
the  plants  of  the  collection  in  the  most  scientific  manner,  and  in  thoroughly  protecting 
them  Ijy  means  of  p(jison  from  the  attacks  of  insects.  There  were  many  packages  still 
rmarranged,  but  which  liad  been  carefully  examined.  A  collection  of  dried  plants  had 
been  connnenccd.  and  the  Curator  had  incorporated  his  own  private  specimens  with  those 
of  the  Society.     The  number  of  seed  vessels  and  fruits  he  reported  as  230. 

The  Curator  of  Mineralogy  reported  the  safe  removal  of  specimens  in  his  department, 
and  their  favoral)le  arrangement  for  exhibition.  He  mentions  the  donation  by  Dr.  Charles 
T.  Jackson  of  a  portion  of  his  private  collection  which  had  been  for  a  long  time  stored  in 
the  ajiartments  of  the  Society. 

The  Curator  of  Microscopy  reported  the  safe  deposit  of  the  collection  of  this  depart- 
ment, embracinj''  tlie  magnificent  o-ift  of  Prof.  Bailev,  in  the  room  allotted  to  it. 

The  Curator  of  Ethnology  made  a  full  report  upon  the  collection  of  this  department.  It 
emljraced  stone  implements  of  the  aboriginal  inhabitants  of  New  England,  collected  by 
the  late  Mr.  Thoreau ;  hat,  bows,  models  of  paddles  and  canoes  of  the  Chinnook  or  mari- 
time tribes  ai'ound  Puget  Sound  ;  hat,  dress,  models  of  canoes,  and  other  articles 
from  Russian  America ;  pottery  from  Central  America  or  Peru  ;  sharks'  teeth  swords, 
war  implements  of  the  Kingsmill  Coral  Islands;  articles  from  the  Hawaiian  Islands,  some 
of  them  now  unknown  on  those  islands ;  stone  adzes  from  the  Herve}^  Islands  ;  war  club 
from  the  Samoan  Islands  ;  articles  from  New  Zealand  ;  clubs,  female  dress  and  bark  cloth 
from  the  Feejee  Islands  ;  implements  from  various  other  localities;  Hindoo  idol,  African 
krisses,  Egyptian  relics,  Roman  lamp.  &c. 

The  office  of  Cabinet  Keeper  was  abolished  at  this  time  and  that  of  Custodian  created. 
The  duties  of  this  officer  were  defined  as  follows : 

,  The  Custodian  was  to  be  a  pei'son  of  acknowledged  scientific  attainments.  He  was  to 
have  general  charge  of  the  building  and  its  contents,  have  free  access  to  the  collections  at 
all  times,  and  act  in  concert  with  the  Curators,  to  whom  he  should  boar  the  relation  of 
advisor  and  assistant.  In  case  of  absence  or  neglect  of  Curators,  he  was  to  act  in  their 
stead  and  perform  their  duties.  He  Avas  required  to  prepare  and  read  at  the  annual  meet- 
ing a  report  of  the  state  of  the  museum,  compiled  from  the  special  reports  of  the  Curators. 
He  was  to  keep  a  Donation  Book  and  record  the  names  of  donors,  and  perform  such  other 
duties  as  might  be  prescribed  by  the  Council,  and  mutually  agreed  upon. 

At  the  election  of  officers  which  followed  the  reports  of  the  Curators,  S.  H.  Scudder  was 
chosen  Recording  Secretary,  Librarian  and  Custodian,  and  A.  E.  Verrill  Curator  of  Radiata 
in  place  of  Tlicodoi'e  Lyman  who  had  engaged  in  the  service  of  the  United  States. 


BOSTON   SOCIETY   OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  99 

It  was  voted  by  the  Council  at  a  meeting  held  on  May  4th  that  the  new  building  should 
be  known  as  the  "  Museum  of  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History." 

On  May  27th  the  Council  directed  that  the  Museum  be  open  to  the  public  on  Wednes- 
days and  Saturdays,  and  that  it  also  be  open  to  the  members  and  patrons,  or  to  such  as 
have  tickets,  on  Thursdays. 

The  Committee  of  Arrangements  for  the  dedication  of  the  Museum  announced  that 
those  only  would  be  admitted  to  the  ceremonies  who  presented  tickets,  which  had  been 
distributed  to  all  the  members  and  patrons. 

Dedication  of  the  Museum. 

This  notable  event  in  the  history  of  the  Society  took  place  on  the  afternoon  of  June 
3d,  the  ceremonies  being  in  tlie  main  hall  of  the  Museum.  At  about  4  o'clock  the  Presi- 
dent invited  the  Rev.  Dr.  Hill  of  Harvard  University,  to  offer  prayer. 

After  this  service  the  President  made  some  remarks  appropriate  to  the  occasion,  expres- 
sive of  gratitude  felt  for  the  liberality  of  the  Commonwealth  and  the  munificence  of  indi- 
viduals, which  had  resulted  in  placing  the  Society  in  the  high  position  it  now  occupied. 
He  then  introduced  Prof.  Wm.  B.  Rogers,  who  gave  a  brief  history  of  the  movements  made 
by  the  Society,  which  had  resulted  in  its  possession  of  the  beautiful  edifice  to  which  the 
audience  were  now  welcomed.  He  alluded  to  the  fact  that  even  whilst  the  flames  of  civil 
war  were  lighting  ujj  the  country,  the  legislature  of  the  State  made  the  grant  of  land  the 
Society  asked  for,  adding  that  for  this  gift  it  was  as  much  indebted  to  Governor  Andrew 
as  to  any  other  man. 

Prof.  Rogers  then  spoke  of  the  progress  of  the  Society  and  of  the  means  it  would  now 
afford  the  student  in  scientific  pursuits.  He  regarded  the  interest  shown  in  the  Society 
during  these  years  of  war  as  evidence  of  the  desire  of  the  community  for  truth,  ending  by 
gratefully  referring  to  those  who  were  struggling  through  conflict  for  peace,  without  which 
many  of  the  blessings  we  enjoy  would  vanish  like  smoke. 

His  Honor  the  Mayor,  F.  W.  Lincoln,  Jr.,  next  addressed  the  assembly,  and  in  the 
name  of  the  citizens  of  Boston  bade  the  members  God  speed  in  all  their  honorable  eflbrts. 

Rev.  Dr.  Waterston  followed,  giving  a  very  interesting  address  upon  the  importance  of 
such  an  institution  as  that  of  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History.  Its  objects,  like  those 
of  the  Public  Liljrary  and  the  Institute  of  Technology,  were  important  for  the  higher  educa- 
tion of  the  community.  All  citizens  might  take  an  interest  in  it  with  great  advantage  to 
themselves,  for  it  furnishes  the  means  of  enlai'ging  their  sphere  of  knowledge.  He  thought 
its  success  should  be  viewed  with  reverent  gratitude,  since  all  who  participated  in  its  ben- 
efits would  find  an  increased  enjoyment. 

Lieutenant  Lutke  of  the  Russian  Navy,  aide-de-camp  of  the  Grand  Duke  Constantino, 
who  had  been  invited  to  be  present,  made  a  few  remarks  expressive  of  his  high  gratifica- 
tion in  being  able  to  participate  in  the  ceremonies  of  the  dedication. 

After  further  remarks  by  Professor  Rogers  upon  the  taste  displayed  by  the  architect  in 
the  construction  of  the  building,  and  the  conscientious  devotion  constantly  manifested  by 
him  while  erecting  it,  the  audience  was  invited  by  the  President  to  remain  and  examine 
the  collections. 


100  HISTORICAL   SKETCH   OF  THE 

The  account  thus  s;lven  of  an  exceedhiiilv  mterestinn;;  occasion  is  lai'ojelv  derived  from 
the  newspapers  of  the  day,  the  records  of  the  Society  being  meagre. 

In  June  of  this  year  the  Society  lost  one  of  the  most  ^^romising  of  its  younger  mem- 
bers, Carleton  Atwood  Shurtleff.  He  was  particularly  interested  in  entomology,  and  had 
recently  prepared  a  paper  upon  the  general  plan  of  venation  in  the  orders  of  insects,  which 
was  presented  and  read  by  Mr.  S.  H.  Scudder  at  a  meeting  in  September,  accompanied  by 
some  remarks  upon  the  scientific  character  and  attainments  of  the  deceased.  The  collec- 
tion of  insects  and  plants  made  bj' Mr.  Shurtleff,  and  his  scientific  papers,  were  sent  to  the 
Society  l^y  the  bereaved  family,  with  the  expressed  wish  tliat  they  should  Ije  regarded  as  a 
bequest  from  him  who  had  manifested  such  an  interest  in  its  welfare. 

The  collection  consisted  of  a  considerable  number  of  native  plants,  over  a  hundred  bot- 
tles of  alcoholic  specimens,  mostly  insects,  quite  a  large  number  of  dried  chrysalids  of 
insects,  and  a  caljinet  of  dried  insects  containing  about  six  thousand  specimens  beautifully 
prepared,  mostly  from  the  vicinity,  but  including  several  hundred  from  China  and  Japan. 

At  a  special  meeting  on  the  12th  of  August,  it  was  announced  that  the  twenty  thou- 
sand dollars  offered  by  Dr.  Walker,  towards  a  working  fund  for  the  Society,  on  condition 
that  other  individuals  should  subscribe  a  like  amount,  was  secured,  as  one  hundred  and 
thirty-five  persons  had  subscribed  twenty  thousand,  seven  hundred  and  five  dollars. 

The  income  receivable  from  the  amount  given  by  Dr.  Walker  was  subjected  by  him  to 
certain  conditions  which  are  shown  by  the  following  extract  from  the  agreement  with  him. 
"  The  said  aggregate  sum  of  money  (forty  thousand  seven  hundred  and  five  dollars),  shall 
be  invested  and  kept  invested  in  some  productive  real  estate,  or  if  such  cannot  be  con- 
veniently obtained,  in  mortgages,  bonds,  stocks,  or  other  personal  pro2:)erty,'  and  shall  form 
a  permanent  fund,  the  principal  of  which  shall  not  be  infringed  upon  under  any  circum- 
stances, but  if  through  unavoidable  casualties,  or  otherwise,  any  portion  of  said  aggregate 
fund  should  be  lost,  the  whole  income  of  tlie  remainder  of  said  aggregate  fund  shall  be 
retained  and  added  to  said  fund  until  said  loss  is  fully  luade  up  ;  all  investments  and 
changes  of  investments  of  said  funds,  are  to  be  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  supervisors 
hereinafter  named  ;  all  deeds,  certificates  and  evidences  relating  to  said  aggregate  fund,  are 
to  be  kept  distinct  from  those  of  all  other  investments  of  said  Society ;  and  the  accounts  of 
the  principal  thereof  shall  be  kej^t  separate  from  all  other  accounts  of  the  Society. 

"John  A.  Andrew  and  Samuel  K.  AVilliams  of  said  Boston,  County  of  Suffolk,  Jeffries 
Wyman  of  Cambridge,  of  the  County  of  Middlesex,  Thomas  T.  Bouve  of  the  said  Boston, 
and  George  A.  Kettell  of  Charlestown,  of  said  County  of  Middlesex,  shall  be  the  super- 
visors of  the  funds  of  the  trust  hereby  erected ;  and  during  tlieir  lives,  the  approval  in 
wi'iting  of  the  major  part  of  them,  or  of  the  major  part  of  the  survivors  of  them,  or  of 
their  successors  in  the  trust,  shall  be  requisite  to  the  validity  of  any  sale  or  investment  of 
the  trust  property. 

"  From  one  half  of  the  income  of  the  said  aggregate  fund  representing  the  gift  of  the 
said  William  J.  Wallvcr,  there  shall  be  annually  offered  two  prizes  for  the  best  memoirs, 
and  in  the  English  language,  on  subjects  projiosed  by  a  committee  appointed  by  the 
Council  of  said  Society,  as  follows  : 

"  Firs/,  for  the  best  memoir  presented,  a,  prize  of  sixty  dollars  may  be  awarded.  If, 
however,  the  memoir  l)e  one  of  nuu-ked  merit,  the  amount  awarded  may  be  increased  to 
one  hundred  dollars,  at  tlie  discretion  of  the  committee. 


BOSTON  SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  101 

"  Second,  for  the  next  best  memoir,  a  prize  not  exceeding  fifty  dollars  may  be  awarded 
at  the  discretion  of  the  committee ;  bnt  neither  of  the  aboVe  prizes  shall  be  awarded 
unless  the  memoirs  presented  shall  be  deemed  of  adequate  merit. 

"  Third,  Grand  Honorary  Prize.  The  sum  of  two  hundred  dollars  shall  be  set  aside  each 
year  from  the  income  of  the  trust  fund  representing  the  donation  of  the  said  William  J. 
Walker,  and  shall  with  the  accumulations  therefrom,  form  a  prize  fund ;  when  said  prize 
fund  amounts  to  the  sum  of  two  thousand  dollars,  the  Council  of  the  Society  may  award 
and  pay  therefrom  the  sum  of  five  hundred  dollars  for  such  scientific  investigation,  or  dis- 
covery in  natural  history,  as  they  may  think  deserving  thereof;  provided  such  investiga- 
tion or  discovery  shall  have  first  been  made  known  and  published  in  the  United  States  of 
America,  and  shall  have  been  at  the  time  of  said  award,  made  known  and  published  at 
least  one  year ;  if  in  consequence  of  the  extraordinary  merit  of  any  such  investigation  or 
discovery,  the  Council  of  the  Society  shall  see  fit,  they  may  award  therefor  the  sum  of 
one  thousand  dollars. 

"  After  the  said  prizes  shall  have  been  thus  awarded,  the  residue  of  said  fund  shall  be 
retained,  and  a  certain  portion  of  the  income  of  the  trust  fund,  not  exceeding  two  hundred 
dollars,  shall  be  annually  apj^ropriated  by  a  vote  of  the  Council  of  the  Society,  to  the  for- 
mation of  a  new  prize  fund  of  one  thousand  dollars,  and  when,  and  as  often  as  said  prize 
fund  amounts  to  said  sum,  the  Council  of  said  Society  may  again  award  a  prize  therefrom 
in  the  manner  above  stated ;  provided,  however,  that  the  said  prize  shall  not  be  awarded 
oftener  than  once  in  five  years ;  and  also,  as  said  ])\\ze  is  to  be  awarded  for  merit  solely, 
if  no  sufficiently  meritorious  investigation  or  discovery  is  brought  to  the  notice  of  the 
Council,  they  may  withhold  said  prize  at  their  discretion,  until  an  investigation  or  discov- 
ery of  sufficient  merit  shall  be  published  and  made  known. 

"  After  the  above  appropriations  have  been  set  aside  from  the  annual  increase  of  said 
trust  fund,  given  by  the  said  William  J.  Walker,  the  residue  of  said  income  is  to  be  applied 
as  follows : 

"  First,  to  pay  for  procuring  the  necessary  means  for  the  preservation  and  exhibition  of 
the  specimens  belonging  to  the  cabinet  of  said  Society,  such  as  the  purchase  of  alcohol 
and  other  antiseptics,  jars,  bottles,  barrels,  and  the  materials  for  the  proper  mounting, 
labelling  and  displaying  of  the  specimens,  but  not  to  expenses  in  the  nature  of  salaries  or 
wages,  or  for  labor,  or  instruction,  or  for  cases  or  other  furniture,  nor  for  the  purchase  of 
specimens,  but  may  be  economically  applied  to  the  necessary  repairs  of  the  building  in 
which  the  collections  of  the  Society  are  preserved,  and  for  gaslights  and  fuel. 

"  Second,  should  the  whole  income  of  the  fund  not  be  required  for  the  above  named  pur- 
poses, the  balance  thereof  may  be  reserved  and  used  for  such  purposes  in  future  years,  or 
added  to  the  principal  of  the  fund  at  the  discretion  of  the  Society." 

In  November,  the  Curator  of  Entomology  reported  the  collection  of  insects  of  the  Society 
in  a  dangerous  condition,  requii'ing  prompt  and  close  attention  which  lie  could  not  give ; 
another  evidence  that  without  parties  paid  to  constantly  look  after  the  collections,  and  ad- 
equate means  to  provide  all  possible  protection  for  the  specimens,  it  was  worse  than  useless 
to  make  them. 

In  this  case  a  paper  was  cii-culated  for  subscriptions  among  the  officers  of  the  Society 
that  enough  money  might  be  realized  to  hire  an  assistant. 


102  HISTORICAL  SKETCH   OF    THE 

It  will  be  remembered  that  a  Section  of  Microscopy  was  founded  in  1857,  and  that  for 
sometime  afterwards  it  showed  signs  of  activity,  which  were  manifested  less  and  less  until 
all  mention  of  its  existence  ceased  to  l^e  made  in  the  records.  In  December  of  this  vear,  in 
response  to  an  invitation  from  the  Curator  of  Microscopy,  sixteen  gentlemen  interested  in 
the  revival  of  the  Section,  met  and  appointed  a  committee  of  reorganization.  This  com- 
mittee reported  a  series  of  rules  for  the  government  of  the  Section  a  fortnight  later,  which 
were  adopted.  Among  them  there  was  one  providing  that  the  meetings  should  talce  jalace 
on  the  second  Wednesday  of  every  month  in  the  room  of  the  department. 

1865.  At  a  meeting  held  on  the  15th  of  February  the  Rev.  Mr.  Waterston  addressed 
the  meeting  upon  some  of  the  educational  instrumentalities  which  he  thought  within  reach 
of  the  Society,  ending  with  a  motion : 

"That  a  committee  of  three  be  appointed  to  consider  tlie  sul)iect  of  courses  of  lectures 
to  the  public  school  teachei'sof  this  vicinity  with  lull  powers  to  act." 

This  motion  was  strongly  seconded  by  Mr.  John  Cummings,  and  upon  his  suggestion  a 
vote  was  passed  that  the  committee  be  nominated  by  the  chair. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Waterston,  Dr.  Augustus  A.  Gould  and  Dr.  James  C.  White  were  made  this 
committee. 

I'lie  action  thus  taken  Ijy  the  Society  is  well  worthy  especial  notice  for  sevei'al  reasons, 
ne  is  that  it  clearly  shows  to  whom  is  due  the  first  conception  of  a  plan  to  impart 
instruction  to  the  teachers  of  the  public  schools.  To  the  Rev.  Mr.  Waterston  unquestion- 
ably belongs  that  honor.  Another  is  that  it  indicates  the  early  interest  felt  in  such  teach- 
ing by  the  gentleman  who  seconded  witli  much  earnestness  the  original  motion.  Many 
years  afterwards  several  courses  of  lectures  to  the  teachers  of  the  piil^lic  schools  were 
given  under  the  auspices  of  the  Society,  the  whole  expenses  of  which  were  generously 
borne  by  the  gentleman  alluded  to.  Mr.  John  Cummings. 

Still  another  reason  why  this  action  merits  attention  is  the  surprising  fact  that  there  is 
not  to  l)e  found  in  the  sul)sequent  records  of  the  Society,  or  of  the  Council,  one  word  im- 
plying that  anything  grew  out  of  the  proposition  and  motion  of  Mr.  Waterston.  It  is  hard 
to  believe  that  this  can  be  said  relative  to  one  of  the  most  commendable  acts  the  Society 
ever  engaged  in,  and  yet  it  is  strictly  true.  Fortunately  for  the  presentation  of  what 
followed,  the  Report  of  the  Superintendent  of  Piiljlic  Schools  enaljles  the  writer  to  do  that 
justice  to  the  Society  which  its  own  records  fail  to  do. 

John  D.  Philbrick  was  then  the  Superintendent,  and  his  report  of  September,  1865,  to 
the  Board  of  School  Committee,  embraces  the  following  paragraphs  : 

"  During  the  past  3^ear,  an  event  worthy  of  record,  and  highly  gratifying  to  the  friends 
of  education,  may  be  found  in  the  fact  that  one  of  the  most  important  and  well  endowed 
scientific  institutions  in  this  community,  made  arrangements  for  a  series  of  lectures  on  dif- 
ferent branches  of  natural  history,  which  were  prepared  expressly  for  the  teachers  of  the 
public  schools  of  Boston. 

"  The  large  hall  belonging  to  the  Society  of  Natural  History  was  thronged  with  earnest 
listeners.  The  lectures  were  amply  illustrated  by  specimens  and  diagrams,  and  at  the 
close  of  each  lecture  the  rich  and  extensive  cabinets  of  the  Society  were  generously 
thrown  open  for  the  inspection  of  all  present.  At  the  introductory  meeting,  the  teachers 
were  addressed  by  His  Excellency  Governor  Andrew,  His  Honor  the  Mayor,  President 
Hill  of  Harvard  University,  George  B.  Emerson,  LL.D..  and  other  eminent  friends  of 
education. 


BOSTON  SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL   HISTORY.  103 

"  Tlie  lectures  which  followed  in  successive  weeks  were  by  Professor  Wjnnan,  President  of 
the  (Society  of  Natural  History,  Professor  Rogers,  of  the  Institute  of  Technology,  Dr.  Augus- 
tus A.  Gould,  Rev.  R.  C.  Waterston,  D.D.,  and  Pi'ofessor  Gray  of  Harvard  University.  They 
embraced  branches  of  natural  history  of  the  deepest  interest,  and  when  it  is  remembered 
that  here  were  assembled  some  six  hundred  teachers,  having  daily  under  their  care  more 
than  twenty-seven  thousand  children,  it  may  readily  be  believed  thnt  a  fresh  impulse  must 
have  been  given,  which  could  not  fail  to  be  beneficial  and  widely  felt.  Wholly  aside  from 
the  valuable  knowledge  thus  imparted  and  acquired,  the  memorable  fact  not  to  be  over- 
looked or  forgotten,  is  this,  that  one  of  the  ablest  bodies  of  scientific  men  in  our  commu- 
nity thus  publicly  extended  the  most  courteous  hospitalities  to  the  teachers  of  the  public 
schools,  inviting  them  to  meet,  through  successive  weeks,  at  the  sjDacious  hall,  arranging 
gratuitous  lectures  upon  various  branches  of  natural  history,  by  men  especially  qualified 
to  give  valuable  information,  and  to  awaken  interest  among  the  teachers  for  whose  particu- 
lar advantage  they  were  given." 

At  the  close  of  the  last  lecture,  the  teachers  unanimously  passed  resolutions  expressive  of 
their  recognition  of  the  generous  action  of  the  Society,  thanking  the  lecturers  warmly,  and 
especially  the  Rev.  R.  C.  Waterston,  for  the  interest  he  had  manifested  in  the  success  of  the 
intellectual  entertainments  to  which  they  had  been  invited. 

On  the  5th  day  of  April,  1865,  the  President  announced  the  death  of  Dr.  William  J. 
Walker,  which  event  took  place  at  Newport,  R.  I.,  on  the  2d  inst.  He  remarked  upon  the 
great  interest  Dr.  Walker  had  shown  in  our  welfare,  and  offered  the  following  resolution, 
which  was  passed  unanimously : 

"  BesoJved,  That  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History  recognize  in  the  death  of  Dr. 
William  Johnson  Walker  the  loss  of  their  greatest  benefactor,  and  in  view  of  his  munifi- 
cent gifts  to  this  Society  and  his  beneficent  aid  to  the  cause  of  education  and  science,  we 
would  ever  hold  his  name  in  honorable  and  grateful  remembrance." 

A  motion  was  made  at  this  meeting  significant  of  the  anxious  feelings  that  pervaded  the 
public  mind  at  this  important  crisis  in  our  country's  experience.  The  rebel  army  under 
Lee  had  just  been  forced  from  Richmond  and  was  being  pursued  by  General  Grant  with 
all  the  forces  at  his  disposal.  Everybody  was  in  hourly  expectation  of  decisive  news,  and 
too  much  excited  to  calmly  consider  ordinary  matters. 

Dr.  Augustus  A.  Gould  therefore  moved  :  "  That  in  view  of  the  absorbing  interests  of  the 
hour  in  national  aifairs,  the  Society  adjourn,  and  hold  an  informal  meeting  for  the  expres- 
sion of  sentiment." 

This  motion  was  passed,  and  the  Society  as  such  adjourned.  An  informal  meeting  then 
followed,  and.  brief  addresses  were  made  on  the  subject  that  agitated  all  minds,  by  Drs. 
Wyman,  Gould  and  Jeffries,  Prof  Chadbourne,  and  Messrs.  Ross  and  Bouve. 

Of  the  great  benefiictor  of  the  Society,  concerning  whom  action  was  taken  by  it  as 
mentioned  above,  the  following  notice  is  presented : 

Dr.  William  Johnson  Walker. 

Dr.  William  Johnson  Walker  was  born  March  15th,  1789,  at  Charlestown,  Mass.  His 
father.  Major  Timothy  Walker,  was  a  prominent  citizen  of  the  town,  and  came  originally 
from  Burlington,  Mass.,  where  he,  as  well  as  his  wife,  was  born. 


104  HISTORICAL   SKETCH  OF  THE 

Dr.  Walker  was  the  second  son  in  a  large  family  of  children.  He  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  of  Charlestown,  prepared  for  college  at  Phillips  Academy,  and  graduated  at 
Harvard  in  the  class  of  1810.  He  studied  medicine  with  Dr.  (afterwai'd  Governor)  John 
Brooks  at  Medford,  giving  particular  attention  to  the  branches  of  physiology  and  anatomy. 
While  yet  a  student,  he  won  the  prize  of  the  Boylston  Medical  Committee  at  Harvard  Col- 
lege for  an  essay  on  Hydrocephalus,  in  1813. 

Graduating  the  same  j^ear  at  the  Massachusetts  Medical  College,  he  sailed  for  France 
and  entered  the  Paris  hosj)itals,  where  he  found  unusual  opportunities  for  study  and  prac- 
tice on  account  of  the  scarcity  of  French  students,  caused  by  the  rigid  conscriptions  of 
Napoleon.  He  had  the  advantage  of  being  under  the  instruction  of  many  of  the  ablest 
French  surgeons  of  the  time,  and  subsequently  was  a  pupil  of  Sir  Astley  Cooper  in  Lon- 
don, where  he  spent  six  months  in  the  hospitals.  Then,  returning  home,  he  entered  upon 
the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Charlestown,  and  soon  established  his  reputation  as  a  very 
able  practitioner.  He  was  appointed  physician  to  the  Massachusetts  State  Prison  and  con- 
sulting surgeon  to  the  Massachusetts  General  Hospital.  He  practised  in  Charlestown  about 
thirty  years,  but  finally  withdrew  from  his  profession,  and  moved  to  Boston.  This  course 
was  looked  upon  by  his  niuuerous  patients  with  the  greatest  disappointment  and  sorrow,  as 
he  had  devoted  himself  to  them  with  the  utmost  faithfulness  and  kindness,  and  was  univer- 
sally beloved  by  all  whom  he  had  occasion  to  care  for  professionally,  more  especially  by 
those  who  were  poor  and  helpless. 

Although  probably  while  he  practised,  he  had  no  superior  in  surgery,  yet  he  was  among 
his  contemporaries  quite  unpopular  as  a  man,  owing  to  his  marked  peculiarities.  But  with 
all  this,  he'  was  very  kind  toward  young  physicians,  and  was  much  consulted  by  them. 
He  had  an  extensive  experience  as  a  medical  instructor,  and  was  very  successful.  His 
well  known  accurate  knowledge  of  anatomy  and  careful  investigation  into  the  natural 
history  of  disease,  caused  him  to  be  widely  looked  up  to,  and  his  pupils  were  numei'ous. 

Upon  removing  to  Boston,  he  interested  himself  in  financial  and  business  matters,  e.spec- 
ially  in  manufactures  and  railroads,  and  from  his  great  shrewdness  in  investments,  rather 
than  in  speculations,  rapidly  amassed  a  large  fortune,  which  he  no  sooner  obtained  than  he 
set  himself  to  expend  in  the  most  enlightened  and  generous  manner.  He  gave  away  during 
his  lifetime  very  great  sums  to  various  of  the  educational  institutions  of  his  native  State 
and  at  his  death  left  still  larger  amounts  for  such  noble  purposes.  He  was  a  most  raunifi- 
cent  friend  to  the  Society  of  Natural  History.  The  amounts  of  money  which  he  gave  out- 
right and  willed  to  the  Society  are  elsewhese  summed  up  in  detail,  and  it  is  only  necessary 
here  to  say  that  without  his  magnificent  generosity,  the  Society  would  have  been  to-day 
in  far  different  circumstances  from  those  in  which  it  finds  itself;  owing  as  it  does  in  great 
measure  to  him  the  l^uilding  in  which  is  its  home.  It  can  never  forget  its  great  obliga- 
tions  to  him,  and  will  hold  his  memory  in  grateful  remembrance. 

Dr.  Walker  died  in  Newport,  R.  I.,  whither  he  had  removed  the  latter  part  of  his  life, 
on  the  ;^d  of  April,  18G5.  He  had  married  in  1817,  Eliza  Hurd,  daughter  of  Joseph  Hurd 
of  Charlestown.  By  her  he  had  eight  children,  five  of  whom,  with  the  widow,  survived 
him. 

On  the  15th  day  of  April  a  special  meeting  of  the-  Council  was  held  for  the  purpose  of 
heariu";  a  statement  from  the  executors  of  the  will  of  the  late  Dr.  Wiliiaui  J.  Walker  rela- 


^Jic,.^ym/k^ 


BOSTON  SOCIETY   OF  NATURAL   HISTORY.  105 

ative  to  the  provisions  of  that  instrument,  and  to  take  such  action  as  might  be  necessary 
to  see  that  the  purposes  of  Dr.  Walker  were  cai'riecl  into  effect. 

The  Treasurer,  Mr.  Bouve,  who  was  also  one  of  the  executors,  read  a  statement  of  some 
of  the  provisions  of  the  will,  and  gave  some  account  of  the  property,  by  which  it  ap- 
peared that  the  whole  amount  probably  exceeded  |1,250,000.  Of  this,  |10,000  was  be- 
queathed to  the  Redwood  Library,  $26,500  in  vai"ious  sums  to  friends,  and  there  were  an- 
nuities to  be  paid  out  of  the  estate  amounting  to  ,f  1,280  during  the  lives  of  certain  indi- 
viduals mentioned.  To  his  family  was  left  |200,000,  and  to  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural 
History,  the  Massachusetts  Institute  of  Technology,  Amherst  College  and  Tufts  College, 
the  remainder  of  his  estate  in  equal  proportions. 

It  was  also  provided  that  if  his  children,  to  whom  the  $200,000  was  left,  die  childless, 
then  this  amount  also  should  be  divided  lietwcen  the  residuary  legatees. 

It  was  also  stated  by  Mr.  Bouve  that  Mr.  Wheeler,  one  of  the  executors,  and  a  friend  of 
the  heirs,  had  asked  in  their  behalf  that  the  four  residuary  legatees  would  consent  to  the 
further  payment  to  them  of  ,$-300,000  from  the  estate  without  conditions.  He  gave  reasons 
why  he  thought  this  request  had  better  be  promptly  complied  with,  and  wished  action 
taken  upon  the  proposition  whether  the  Society,  as  one  of  the  four  residuary  legatees, 
would  consent  to  such  payment.  If  this  were  done,  and  the  others  concurred  in  it,  each 
would  soon  receive  from  |175,000  to  $180,000,  with  a  fair  prospect  that  this  Avould  at  some 
time  be  increased  to  $200,000,  whereas  if  it  were  not  done,  the  whole  smn  might  l^e  lost 
in  litigation,  or  much  lessened  after  years  of  strife,  of  which  there  was  imminent  danger. 

Following  this  statement  by  Mr.  Bouve,  a  motion  was  made  that  he  be  authorized  to 
act  for  the  Society  with  full  powers.  Upon  his  suggestion,  however,  that  it  would  be  bet- 
ter to  have  parties  selected  for  the  purpose  who  were  not  also  executors  of  the  will.  Dr. 
Gould  and  Prof.  Rogers  were  appointed,  and  authorized  by  an  unanimous  vote  to  make 
such  settlement  on  behalf  of  the  Society  with  the  executors  and  the  heirs-at-law  of  the 
late  Dr.  William  J.  Walker,  as  they  should  see  proper. 

The  annual  meeting  of  the  Society  was  held  on  May  3d.  The  report  of  the  retiring 
Treasurer,  Mr.  Bouve,  who   declined   re-election,  was  in  substance  as  follows  : 

That  as  Treasurer  of  the  general  account  of  the  Society,  he  had  on  hand  at  the  be- 
ginning of  the  ye.ir, $4,118.19 

And  that  he  had  received  since,  including  amount  borrowed  of  the  Courtis  fund  and 

return  of  amounts  loaned, 11.5,43'2.32 

$119,550.51 
And  that  he  had  paid  on  account  of  new  building  and  furniture     .     .       $12,527.12 

Journal  and  Proceedings, 129.04 

General  expenses, 3,014.38 

Cabinet, 838.32 

Library, 71.89 

Temporary  loans, G2,0 10.00 

Investments  of  Walker  fund, 41,105.00 

Interest, 251.81 

$119,947.50 

Showing  a  balance  due  him  of $397.05 


106  IILSTOIIICAL    t- KETCH   OF   THE 

As  Treasurer  of  the  Courtis  Fund  lie  reported  that  it  consisted  of  an  amount  due  from 

the  Society  itself,  borrowed $8,339.71 

and  a  mortgage  note  of 3,000.00 

As  Treasurer  of  the  Bulfineli  Street  Estate  lie  rejiorted  recei}its  .■uuounting  to     .     .     §1.073.00 
And  expenditures  of 341.39 

Showing  a  balance  on  hand  of $731.61 

As  Treasurer  of  the  Walker  fund,  he  reported  receipts  amounting  to $1,"22G.97 

And  expenditures  of 1,080.02 

Sliowing  a  balance  of $110.95 

The  balances  in  liis  hands  belonging  to  the  Bulfinch  Estate  and  Walker  fiind  amount- 
ed to  $878.50 

Balance  due  him  on  general  ajipropriations, 397.05 

Actual  balance  in  his  hands  of  all  the  accounts  rendered, $481.51 

Ho  presented  estimates  of  tlie  value  of  the  pro]ierty  belonging  to  the  Society  at  different  times  for  pur- 
poses of  comparison;  in  Jlay,  180-2,  the  value  was  $85,001.49;  in  May,  186.3,  $133,497.80;  in  May,  1804, 
$14t2,512.47;  at  the  present  time,  $167,881.51. 

These  estimates  included  the  buildings  and  furniture,  but  not  the  library  or  the  cabinet. 

In  retiring,  the  Treasurer  said  he  would  not  undertake  to  estimate  the  value  of  our  prop- 
erty, in  the  estate  of  our  late  henefactor,  Dr.  Win.  J.  Walker.  It  was  sufficient  for  him  to 
know  that  in  resigning  the  office  of  Treasurer,  he  left  to  his  successor  the  pleasing  task  of 
showing  on  the  next  anniversary,  means  of  usefulness  beyond  Avhat  the  most  sanguine 
expectations  could  have  looked  for. 

( )n  behalf  of  the  Building  Committee,  Mr.  Bouv^  announced  that  the  full  cost  of  the  new 
building,  including  commissions  for  architectural  services,  but  not  including  the  cases,  had 
been  $94, .393. 80,  and  that  the  cases  had  cost  $10,003.36,  making  the  total  amount 
expended  $104,397.16,  a  result  with  which  the  Society  had  reason  to  be  gratified,  consider- 
ing that  such  a  structure  with  the  cases  would  have  cost  much  more  if  the  construction  had 
been  delayed,  by  reason  of  the  greatly  enhanced  prices  of  material  and  labor.  With  thi^ 
report  presented  as  a  final  one,  the  committee  asked  the  Society  to  accept  the  building  and 
discharge  them  from  further  duty,  Avhich  Avas  done  with  warm  thanks. 

By  the  Custodian's  report  it  appeared  that  much  work  had  been  done  in  the  several 
de2')artments  towards  perfecting  the  arrangement  of  the  specimens  and  adopting  means  for 
the  safety  of  such  as  were  perislial)le.  Not  without  great  regret,  however,  did  the  members 
learn  of  the  extent  of  the  injury  done  to  the  collections  by  the  ravages  of  insects,  and  of  the 
absolute  unfitness  of  the  cases  througliout  the  l)uilding  for  the  preservation  of  tlie  speci- 
mens from  dust  and  destructive  vermin.  Already  had  it  become  apparent  that  there  yet 
would  have  to  be  a  large  outlay  in  substituting  other  cases  before  the  treasures  of  the 
cabinet  could  be  regarded  as  secure.  It  had  not  been  recognized  when  those  now  in  use 
were  constructed,  that  they  .should  be  made  practically  air  tight  in  order  to  render  them 
suitable  for  what  they  were  designed. 

The  Library  now  contained  11,191  volumes  and  pamphlets.  The  additions  through  the 
year  had  been  1319,  or  between  11  and  12  per  cent.  The  greater  part  of  the  increase 
was  stated  to  have  come  from  exchange  with  kindred  institutions. 


s 


BOSTON   SOCIETY  OF   NATURAL   IIISTOIIY.  107 

The  Botanical  department  had  had  during  the  year  an  accession  of  aljout  1800  New- 
England  plants,  the  bequest  of  Mr.  C.  A.  Shurtleff,  and  over  1200  German  plants  from 
Col.  Joseph  Ilowland. 

The  Geological  and  Palaeontological  department  had  received  in  exchange  a  series  of 
casts  of  large  animals  from  Prof  Ward,  a  collection  of  fossils  from  the  Andes  presented  by 
Dr.  Winslow,  and  a  natural  cast  in  Red  Sandstone  of  the  bones  of  one  of  the  animals  that 
probalily  made  impressions  upon  the  rocks  of  the  Connecticut  river. 

The  most  important  and  interesting  addition  to  the  collection  during  the  year,  was  the 
cast  of  the  Megatherium  presented  by  the  late  Joshua  Bates  of  London,  and  which  had 
been  mounted  on  a  platform  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  main  hall.  This  was  done  by 
Mr.  Sceva  with  artistic  skill,  under  the  superintendence  of  Dr.  James  C.  White,  and  it  is 
believed  in  a  posture  consonant  with  what  the  character  and  habits  of  the  animal  required. 
The  wdiole  collection  of  the  department  was  stated  to  consist  of  about  3250  specimens. 

The  Mineralogical  collection  was  reported  to  have  undergone  a  thorough  revision 
during  the  year.  The  specimens  suitable  for  exhibition  and  arranged  upon  the  shelves, 
numbered  about  fifteen  hundred. 

The  department  of  Comparative  Anatomy  and  Mammals  had  received  an  accession  of 
eio-lity-four  specimens  in  all,  including  seventeen  skins  of  mammals.  Skeletons  of  the 
white  whale,  porpoise  and  dromedary  had  been  set  up,  and  much  work  done  by  the  Cura- 
tor, in  making  sections  of  skulls  representing  the  various  orders  of  mammalia.  The 
Curator  a^-ain  called  attention  to  the  unsafe  condition  of  the  skins  in  his  department. 

The  Ethnological  department  had  received  from  many  donors,  principally  Commodore 
Charles  Stewart,  Dr.  C.  F.  Winslow,  Mr.  E.  A.  Brigham,  Mrs.  James  Pliillips,  and  the 
Smithsonian  Institution,  articles  from  Japan,  Siam,  California,  Mexico,  and  from  local- 
ities in  Massachusetts,  all  of  which  had  been  placed  in  the  collection. 

The  Ornithological  department  was  represented  to  be  in  good  condition,  but  the  Cura- 
tor complained  sadly  of  the  unsuitableness  and  imperfect  construction  of  the  cases. 

The  Oological  collection  had  been  increased  by  donations  from  Dr.  Henry  Br3fant, 
Dr.  A.  S.  Packard,  Jr.,  John  R.  Willis,  Esq.,  of  Haliflix,  and  Dr.  Chas.  T.  Jackson,  in  all 
numbering  forty-five  specimens. 

The  Conchological  department  had  received  a  donation  from  Dr.  Henry  Bryant,  of  a 
collection  of  shells  from  Cape  St.  Lucas,  and  from  Dr.  Gundlach  of  a  series  of  Cuban  shells 
identified  by  him. 

The  Herpetological  department  was  reported  as  containing  about  five  hundred  species, 
half  of  which  had  been  identified  and  arranged  for  exhibition,  the  others  remained  unar- 
ranged  for  want  of  bottles,  alcohol,  &c. 

The  Ichthyological  department  had  received  many  additions,  the  donors  being  Prof.  F. 
Poey  of  Havana,  the  Lyceum  of  Natural  History  of  Williams  College,  Dr.  H.  Bryant,  the 
late  C.  A.  Shurtleff;  Mr.  S.  M.  Buck,  Mr.  W.  A.  Nason,  Mr.  W.  H.  Dall,  Mr.  E.  T.  Snow, 
Mr.  H.  C.  Whitten,  Dr.  C.  P.  Winslow,  Dr.  B.  S.  Shaw,  Mr.  David  Pulsifer,  and  the  Curator, 
F.  W.  Putnam. 

The  department  of  the  Radiata  had  received  donations  from  Dr.  H.  I.  Bowditch,  Dr. 
Samuel  Kneeland,  John  B.  Willis,  Esq.,  Dr.  A.  S.  Packard,  Jr.,  and  the  Essex  Institute  of 
Salem.     The  Echiuoderms  had  been  fully  catalogued  and  arranged,  with  the  exception  of 


108  HISTORICAL    SKETCH   OF   THE 

the  alcoholic  .specimens,  which  required  bottles  and  fresh  spirit  before  the}^  could  be  put  on 
exhibition. 

To  the  collection  of  Crustacea  a  large  number  of  .specimens  had  been  added  during  the 
year. 

The  collection  of  the  Microscopical  department  remained  about  as  before  reported,  but 
few  additions  haviuQ-  been  made  to  it. 

It  was  sad  to  learn  what  indeed  had  been  partially  known  before,  that  a  large  part  of 
the  Entomological  collection  was  well  nigh  ruined  by  the  Anthreni,  which,  from  want  of 
secure  cases  and  continuous  care,  had  been  able  to  attack  the  specimens  and  accomplish 
their  destruction.  The  magnificent  collection  of  Professor  Hentz,  purchased  at  considerable 
cost  many  ye.ars  since  through  j^rivate  subscription,  and  being  then  altogether  the  finest  in 
country,  might  be  said  to  be  entirely  destroyed,  inasmuch  as  not  one-fiftieth  part  of  the 
whole  remained  fit  to  serve  the  student  for  purposes  of  comparison  and  identification, 
much  less  to  place  on  exhibition.  The  same  could  be  said  of  all  the  old  collections  pre- 
sented to  the  Society  by  Dr.  Gould,  Dr.  Harris  and  others. 

How  forcibly  in  this  statement  is  brought  to  mind  the  truth  often  alluded  to  in  these 
pages,  that  it  is  Avorse  than  useless  to  form  large  collections  of  perishable  objects  unless  the 
means  are  at  hand  to  command  the  accomTnodation  and  the  unremitting  care  and  watchful- 
ness necessary  for  their  preservation. 

The  late  collection  of  Dr.  Harris,  purchased  and  presented  to  the  Society  by  several 
gentlemen  after  his  death,  and  that  of  the  late  C.  A.  Shurtleflf,  which  came  to  the  Society 
by  bequest,  were  reported  to  be  in  fair  condition.  These  were  receiving  proper  attention, 
and  a  large  number  had  been  put  upon  exhibition. 

The  whole  numl)er  of  specimens  of  every  kind  added  to  the  cabinet  during  the  year, 
the  Curator  stated  to  be  21,155,  of  which  half  were  insects,  the  bequest  of  Mr.  C.  A. 
Shurtleflf. 

The  very  efficient  Curator  of  Botany,  Mr.  Charles  J.  Sprague,  much  to  the  regret  of 
every  member  of  the  Society,  resigned  his  office  at  the  annual  meeting,  after  a  long  ser- 
vice of  twelve  years,  during  which  time,  he  had  broiight  order  out  of  disorder,  .so  far  as 
the  herbarium  of  the  department  was  concerned,  and  accomplished  an  amount  of  work  in 
identifying,  aiTanging  and  poisoning  the  plants,  of  incalculable  value  to  the  Society,  and 
such  as  few  persons  in  active  business  could  have  found  time  to  do. 

The  thanks  of  the  Society  were  unanimously  voted  to  him,  and  also  to  the  retiring 
Treasurer  for  their  services  in  its  behalf. 

At  the  election  of  officers,  Edward  Pickering  was  chosen  Treasurer,  in  place  of  Thomas 
T.  Bouve  ;  Thomas  T.  Bouve  Curator  of  Mineralogy  in  place  of  William  T.  Brigham  ;  and 
Horace  Mann  Curator  of  Botany  in  place  of  Charles  J.  Sprague.  The  office  of  Custodian 
was  left  vacant,  Mr.  Scudder  declining  to  act  longer  as  such.  In  the  August  following, 
Dr.  A.  S.  Packard,  Jr.,  was  appointed  by  the  Council  Acting  Custodian. 

In  October  of  this  year.  Dr.  Henry  Bryant  announced  his  intention  of  presenting  to  the 
Society  a  large  collection  of  birds  recently  purchased  by  him  when  in  Europe,  and  asked 
that  an  appropriation  of  |4,0U0  be  made,  for  the  purpose  of  fitting  up  two  of  the  rooms  in 
the  second  story  for  their  reception.     This  was  voted,  and  a  committee  consisting  of  Dr. 


BOSTON   SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  109 

Bryant  and  Dr.  J.  C.  White,  was  appointed  to  attend  to  the  proper  constrnction  of  the 
cases. 

The  collection,  which  was  purchased  by  Di-.  Bryant  of  Count  Lafresnaye  de  Falaise  for 
the  purpose  of  presentation  to  the  Society,  was  the  largest  and  most  valuable  private  one 
in  Europe.  It  contained  nearly  9,000  specimens,  all  finely  mounted,  and  from  4,500  to 
5,000  species.  Of  these,  700  to  800  were  from  North  and  South  America,  many  heing 
type  specimens  described  by  the  Count  hmiself,  an  able  ornithologist.. 

October  18th,  Dr.  Burt  G.  Wilder  was  elected  Curator  of  Reptiles  in  place  of  Dr.  Francis 
H.  Brown,  who  had  resigned  at  the  previous  meeting. 

A  special  meeting  of  the  Society  was  called  to  consider  the  subject  of  creating  the  office 
of  Director  of  the  Society,  whose  duty  it  should  be  to  administer  the  affairs  of  the  Museum 
and  Library,  with  the  intention  of  inviting  Dr.  Jeffries  Wyman  to  take  such  office. 

With  great  unanimity  of  feeling  and  action  it  was  voted  to  invite  Dr.  Wyman  to  fill 
such  office,  with  a  salary  of  |2,500  per  annum,  clerical  assistance  in  the  administration  of 
the  Library  and  such  scientific  assistance  as  might  be  necessary.  To  the  great  regret  of 
all  the  members.  Dr.  Wyman,  after  much  consideration,  declined  to  acce^Dt  the  position 
tendered  him.     The  office  designed  for  him  was  not  therefore  created. 

In  December,  the  Treasurer  announced  the  reception  by  him  of  the  first  instalment  of 
the  Walker  liequest,  amounting  to  ,$100,000  m  various  stocks,  and  that  it  had  now  become 
the  duty  of  the  Trustees  to  assume  the  management  of  this  property. 

1866.  From  the  report  of  the  Acting  Custodian,  Dr.  Packard,  made  at  the  annual 
meeting  in  May,  we  learn  that  there  were  twenty  stated  meetings  of  the  Society,  and 
eight  of  the  Microscopical  section.  These  had  been  well  attended,  and  the  communica- 
tions presented  were  of  an  interesting  and  instructive  character.  Forty-four  Resident 
and  eleven  Corresponding  Members  had  been  elected. 

The  Society  had  again  resumed  publication,  after  having  omitted  to  issue  any  of  its  Pro- 
ceedings for  a  year,  and  not  having  continued  its  Journal  beyond  Volume  VII,  printed 
in  1863.  In  resuming  publication  it  was  thought  best  to  change  the  form  of  the  Journal 
from  octavo  to  quarto,  and  also  to  change  the  title  to  "  Memoirs."  It  was  also  decided  not 
to  furnish  the  Proceedings  to  members  free  of  cost,  as  hitherto,  the  state  of  the  Treasury 
not  warranting  it.  The  first  part  of  Volume  I  of  the  Memoii's,  and  nearly  one  half  of 
Volume  X  of  the  Proceedings,  including  the  records  of  the  meetings  held  in  1864  and 
1865,  were  mentioned  as  having  been  issued. 

The  Treasurer's  report  for  the  year  showed  that  there  had  been  an  excess  of  expendi- 
ture over  receipts,  not  including  borrowed  money,  of  $2,890.19.  The  amount  expended, 
however,  included  $5,030.61,  the  cost  of  fitting  up  rooms  with  cases  for  the  Ornitho- 
logical collection. 

The  Librarian  reported  an  accession  of  981  volumes,  parts  of  volumes  and  pamphlets, 
of  which  767  had  been  received  in  exchange  for  our  publications.  He  stated  that  the 
Library  now  contained  7622  volumes,  2097  parts  of  volumes,  and  2462  pamphlets. 

The  Curator  of  Microscopy  stated  that  the  collection  was  in  good  preservation,  though 
not  in  such  order  as  it  should  be.  Donations  had  been  received  from  Dr.  S.  A.  Bemis, 
Dr.  C.  F.  Winslow,  and  Messrs.  C.  G.  Bush  and  J.  S.  Melvin. 


110  IITSTOKICAL   SKETCH  OF  THE 

The  meetings  of  the  Section  had  been  well  attended,  with  advantage  to  its  members  and 
to  tlie  Society. 

The  Curator  of  Comparative  Anatomy  reported  the  addition  to  his  department  of  2 
skeletons,  10  parts  of  skeletons,  20  skulls,  4  skins  of  mammals,  5  mammals  in  spirit,  and 
miscellaneous  o  ;  total  44  specimens.     The  donors  were  Drs.  C.  T.  Jackson,  A.  A.   Gould, 

A.  S.  Packard,  Jr.,  H.  Bryant,    B.   J.   Jelfries,  S.  Kneeland,  and   Messrs.    11.  Mann,  C.  A. 
Kirkpatrlck,  J.  K.  Warren,  and  the  Boston  Milling  and  Manufacturing  Company. 

The  specimens  l^elonging  to  the  department  were  represented  to  be  in  good  order  with 
the  exception  of  the  skins. 

The  Curator  of  Ornithology  reported  the  collection  in  good  order.  He  stated  that  the 
Lafresnaye  collection,  before  mentioned  as  purchased  by  him  for  the  Society,  arrived  safely 
in  the  autumn  of  the  previous  year,  and  upon  being  unpacked  had  Ijcen  found  in  perfect 
condition.  lie  himself  had  personally  superintended  the  packing  while  in  France.  The 
whole  number  of  specimens  I'eceived  had  been  found  to  be  8,G56. 

The  Curator  of  Ichthyology  reported  valuable  donations  to  the  department  from  the 
Smithsonian  Institution,  of  54  specimens  of  North  American  fishes  ;  from  Dr.  A.  S.  Packard, 
Jr.,  of  10^  species  comprising  about  100  specimens  Labrador  fishes,  and  from  the  Curator  of 
about  40  species  comprising  1000  specimens  from  Lake  Erie,  and  about  20  specimens  from 
Dr.  B.  S.  Shaw,  Messrs.  C.  J.  Sprague,  W.  II.  Dall,  J.  S.  Lewis,  Samuel  Hubbard,  R.  C.  Green- 
leaf  and  Caleb  Cooke.  The  latter  presented  a  fine  specimen  of  the  rare  Lcjjfoccphahis 
(jracllis  Storer,  one  of  six  collected  by  him  on  Nahant  beach. 

To  the  Entomological  Cabinet  about  600  si:)ecimens  had  l^een  added,  the  principal  donors 
being  Drs.  II.  Bryant,  S.  A.  Bemis,  C.  F.  Ilildreth,  A.  A.  Gould,  C.  T.  Jackson,  S.  Kneeland, 
Jr.,  C.  F.  Winslow,  Messrs.  A.  R.  Grote,  Samuel  Hubbard,  S.  H.  Scudder  and  Prof.  J.  L. 
Smith. 

To  the  collection  of  Crustacea  440  specimens  had  been  added.  Of  these,  50  species, 
comprising  about  340  specimens,  represented  the  Crustacean  fauna  of  Labrador,  and  25 
species,  comprising  80  specimens,  that  of  Maine.  The  Worms,  now  united  with  the 
Crustacea  in  the  department,  included  55  species,  of  which  30,  comprising  115  speci- 
mens, were  from  the  coast  of  Labrador ;  and  14,  comprising  65  specimens,  from  Maine, 
had  been  obtained  by  the  Curator. 

The  donors  to   the  department  of  Crustacea  and  Worms,  were  Drs.  A.  S.  Packard  Jr., 

B.  S.  Shaw,  A.  A.  Gould ;  Messrs.  E.  R.  Mayo,  Samuel  Hubbard,  C.  Stodder,  F.  G.  San- 
born, C.  C.  Sheafe  ;  and  Captain  E.  Smith. 

The  Conchological  department  had  received  about  1,500  specimens,  many  of  them  of 
great  value,  the  donors  being  Dr.  A.  S.  Packard,  Jr.,  Dr.  Gundlach,  Dr.  Henry  Bryant,  Dr. 
A.  Chapin,  Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson  and  Mr.  A.  Coolidge. 

The  department  of  the  Radiata  had  received  from  the  Essex  Institute  10  species,  from 
Dr.  A.  S.  Packard,  Jr.,  250  specimens,  from  N.  Appleton  3  species,  aud  from  Yale  College 
in  exchange  5U  specimens,  comprising  34  sjiecies. 

The  Curator  of  Mineralogy  reported  tlie  whole  number  of  specimens  on  exhibition  to 
be  about  2,000.  The  department  had  received  donations  from  Drs.  C.  T.  Jackson, 
Henry  Bryant,  A.  S.  Packard,  Jr.,  the  Agassiz  Natural  History  Society,  Prof  Jeffries 
Wyman,  and  Messrs.  G.  P.  Huntington  and  W.  II.  Dall. 


BOSTON   SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL   HISTORY.  Ill 

The  department  of  Botany  had  received  very  valuable  donations  of  mosses  and  lichens 
from  the  former  Curator,  C.  J.  Sprague,  Esq.,  comprising  about  500  species.  Specimens 
had  also  been  presented  by  Drs.  C.  Pickering,  C.  F.  Wiuslow.  A.  S.  Packard,  Jr.,  S.  Knee- 
land,  Jr.,  and  Messrs.  Gunning,  E.  R.  Mayo,  H.  M.  Mclntire,  William  Nelson  and  S.  Wells, 
Jr. 

The  Curator  of  Herpetology  reported  69  additions  to  the  department  during  the  year, 
the  donors  being  Drs.  A.  S.  Packard,  Jr.,  S.  Kneeland,  Jr.,  C.  F.  Winslow,  and  Messrs.  S. 
Hinckley,  F.  Andernach,  D.  White,  and  Captain  Barber. 

The  Ethnological  department  had  received  a  few  donations  from  Dr.  H.  Bryant,  A.  E.  L. 
Dillaway  and  Horace  McMurtrie. 

To  the  Oiilogical  department  there  had  been  no  additions. 

In  June,  the  sad  intelligence  of  the  death  of  Prof.  Henry  D.  Rogers  of  Glasgow  wa.s 
received. 

Henry  Darwin  Rogers  was  born  at  Philadelphia,  in  1809.  He  early  became  interested  in 
scientific  pursuits,  and  while  still  quite  young  engaged  as  State  Geologist  of  Pennsylvania 
in  an  extended  and  very  thorough  survey  of  that  State.  His  great  work  on  the  geology  of 
Pennsylvania,  subsequently  published,  placed  him  at  once  in  the  front  rank  of  American 
geologists,  and  his  later  Report  on  the  Geology  of  New  Jersey  was  a  valuable  contribution 
to  science. 

His  eminent  attainments  led  to  his  being  invited,  in  1857,  to  take  the  chair  of  Regius 
Pi'ofessor  of  Geology  and  Natural  History  in  the  University  of  Glasgow,  Scotland.  He 
accepted  this  position,  which  he  filled  to  the  time  of  his  death,  which  took  place  on  his 
return  from  a  visit  to  his  native  land,  at  his  residence,  Shawlands,  near  Glasgow,  May  29th, 
18GG,  in  the  fifty-eighth  year  of  his  age.  He  was  a  brother  of  Professor  William  B.  Rog- 
ers, and  for  several  years  was  a  resident  member  of  the  Society ;  while  so,  manifesting 
much  interest  in  its  welfare.  Valuable  communications  were  frequently  made  by  hhn, 
reports  of  which  may  be  found  in  the  Proceedings. 

In  September  a  special  meeting  of  the  Society  was  called  upon  the  occasion  of  the  death 
of  one  of  its  founders  and  most  eminent  members,  Dr.  Augustus  A.  Gould.  This  event 
was  announced  by  the  President,  and  a  committee,  consisting  of  the  President,  Thomas  T. 
Bouve  and  S.  H.  Scudder,  was  appointed  to  report  a  suitable  address  upon  the  occasion. 
A  vote  was  unanimously  passed  that  the  Society  attend  the  funeral,  and  four  mem- 
bers were  appointed  to  act  as  pall-bearers  in  connection  with  those  appointed  by  the  Suf- 
folk District  Medical  Society.  The  four  were  the  Pi-esident,  Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson,  Mr.  George 
B.  Emerson,  and  Mr.  C.  K.  Dillaway.  The  services  were  at  the  Rowe  Street  Baptist  Church, 
of  which  he  was  a  member,  and  were  attended  by  a  large  concourse  of  friends. 

At  the  regular  meeting  on  Sept.  19th,  on  behalf  of  the  committee  appointed  at  the  special 
meeting  the  President  read  the  following  notice  : 

"  Dr.  Augustus  Addison  Gould,  for  many  years  one  of  the  Vice-Presidents  of  this  Society, 
died  at  his  home  on  the  morning  of  the  15th  day  of  September.  By  this  sad  and  sudden 
event,  the  Society  loses  one  of  its  most  honored  and  respected  associates,  and  science  a 
disinterested  and  truthful  worker.  From  the  be^-inninsc  of  our  existence  to  the  dav  on 
which  he  died,  his  hand  was  never  weary  in  our  service.  Through  many  years  we  have 
leaned  on  him  for  his  wise  counsel ;  his  thought  and  labor  more  than  any  other  have  helped 


112  HISTORICAL   SKETCH   OF  THE 

us  ill  our  progress,  aud  it  is  to  his  uame  aud  fame  at  home  aud  abroad,  that  we  are  very 
largely  iudebted  for  what  we  most  prize  in  our  own.  It  is  not  we  alone  that  suffer  from  his 
death.  His  interests  were  broad  and  catholic  and  embraced  whatever  was  good  and  excel- 
lent, and  his  helping  hand  was  not  withdrawn  whenever  sought,  whether  in  behalf  of  the 
interests  of  science,  education  or  humanitv.  The  loss  to  these  will  be  truly  great.  For  all 
his  disinterestedness  he  was  not  without  liis  reward.  Tlie  profession  of  which  he  was  so  dis- 
tinguished an  oi'nament  gladly  bestowed  upon  him  its  highest  gifts,  and  the  community  of 
which  he  was  so  worthy  a  member  gave  love  and  honor  for  his  many  graces  of  character 
and  for  his  work  in  life  so  full  of  christian  excellence.  With  head  and  hand  still  busy  and 
wdth  a  heart  still  earnest  in  his  chosen  work  and  still  warm  in  all  his  relations  to  friends 
and  kindred,  it  was  God's  will  that  he  should  pass  away.  The  Society  would  express  its 
gratitude  for  the  example  of  liis  life,  and  oflers  its  deepest  sympathy  to  those  to  whose 
hearts  his  death  brings  so  much  sorrow." 

Dr.  Wyman  then  stated  that  a  more  full  notice  of  the  scientific  labors  of  Dr.  Gould 
would  be  presented  by  the  committee  at  a  later  meeting. 

Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson  followed  with  remarks  upon  Dr.  Gould's  character  and  Avork,  passing 
in  review  the  various  stages  of  his  scientific  career  ;  and  Mr.  C.  K.  Dillaway  read  an 
interesting  autobiography  of  him  which  had  been  written  in  1850,  and  which  he  had  in  his 
possession  as  secretary  of  his  college  class. 

It  was  then  voted  that  a  cojjy  of  the  notice  of  the  committee  be  furnished  to  the  press, 
and  that  out  of  respect  to  the  memory  of  our  lamented  friend  and  associate  the  Society 
adjourn  without  the  transaction  of  business  or  the  hearing  of  scientific  papers. 

A  consideralile  portion  of  the  obituary  notice  of  Dr.  Gould,  prepared  by  Dr.  Wyman  in 
behalf  of  the  committee  and  publishei  in  the  Proceedings  of  the  Society,  Volume  IX, 
page  188,  is  here  given: 

Augustus  Addison  Gould  was  born  in  New  Ipswich,  New  Hampshire,  on  the  23d  of  April, 
1805.  Ilis  early  life  was  passed  there,  and  as  soon  as  he  was  old  and  strong  enough  to 
labor,  the  larger  part  of  the  year  was  given  to  his  father's  farm,  and  the  rest  to  the  common 
school.  At  the  age  of  fifteen  he  took  the  whole  charge  of  the  farm ;  nevertheless  a  part 
of  the  year  was  devoted  to  study,  and  some  progress  was  made  in  the  classics.  By  the 
careful  husbanding  of  the  odds  and  ends  of  time  and  a  year's  teaching  at  an  academy,  he 
was  prepared  to  enter  college,  and  entered  at  Cambridge  in  1821.  With  his  college  life 
came  a  struggle,  the  forerunner  of  many  such  by  which  his  strei^th  was  to  be  tried.  He 
had  already  come  to  know  something  of  the  barrier  which  limited  means  had  put  between 
himself  and  the  tilings  he  aspired  to,  and  now  this  assumed  larger  proportions,  such  as  to 
most  persons  would  have  been  disheartening.  College  duties  and  exercises  demanded  his 
tune,  nevertheless  his  education  must  be  paid  for,  and  he  must  do  largely  towards  earning 
the  means ;  and  so  by  strict  economy,  by  performing  various  duties  for  which  indigent 
students  received  compensation,  and  also  by  hard  work  in  vacations  and  on  those  days 
which  others  gave  to  relaxation,  be  says  he  at  length  fought  his  way  through,  and  attained 
to  respectable  rank. 

In  college  he  was  noted  among  his  classmates  for  industry,  and  it  was  there,  too,  that  his 
taste  for  natural  history  began  to  show  itself  He  became  fiimiliar  A\ith  the  most  of  our 
native  plants  and  to  the  end  of  life  never  lost  his  love  for  them.     After  leaving  college,  he 


/LO^lt^ 


BOSTON   SOCIETY   OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  113 

held  the  office  of  private  tutor  in  Maryland,  and  at  the  same  time  began  the  study  of 
medicine.  The  rest  of  his  pupilage  was  passed  in  Boston,  and  the  last  year  of  it  at  the 
Massachusetts  General  Hospital  as  house  student.  He  was  graduated  in  medicine  in  1830, 
and  at  once  began  the  practice  of  his  profession,  having  given  good  grounds  to  his  friends 
for  expecting  future  eminence.  But  his  struggles  with  poverty  were  not  yet  ended.  Until 
his  profession  could  yield  him  a  support,  he  was  obliged  to  go  out  of  it,  to  earn  the  neces- 
saries of  life.  To  this  end  he  undertook  burdensome  tasks ;  one  of  them,  the  cataloguing 
and  classification  of  the  fifty  thousand  pamphlets  in  the  library  of  the  Boston  Athena3um, 
was  Herculean,  as  any  one  may  see  who  will  take  the  trouble  to  loolv  over  the  four  large 
folio  volumes  he  wrote  out,  monuments  of  his  patient  industry  and  handiwork,  and  for 
which  he  got  only  a  pitiful  return. 

The  study  of  natural  history  was  nearer  to  his  heart  than  all  other  pursuits,  and  to  that 
he  could  always  turn,  and  did,  whenever  he  could  command  a  few  spare  hours  or  moments 
to  do  so.  As  a  matter  of  course,  he  became  a  member  of  this  Society.  This  was  soon 
after  its  organization,  and  to  the  time  he  died  he  labored  for  us  without  stint.  When  his 
studies  began  to  assume  a  methodical  shape,  his  first  investigations  were  in  the  class  of 
insects,  of  which,  at  one  time,  he  had  a  large  collection.  Among  his  first  published  works 
was  a  monograph  on  the  Cicindelae  of  Massachusetts,  printed  in  1834,  and  in  1840  he  pub- 
lished an  account  of  the  American  species  of  shells  belonging  to  the  genus  Pupa,  in  regard 
to  which  he  found  much  confusion.  These  shells  are  very  small,  and  Mr.  Say,  who  named 
all  the  species  previously  described,  gave  no  figures,  and  consequently  natiu-alists  fell  into 
error.  "I  have  received  from  our  best  conchologists,"  Dr.  Gould  says,  "a  single  species 
under  four  of  the  names  that  Mr.  Say  applied  to  as  many  different  .species."  Dr.  Gould 
then  points  out  how,  by  the  use  of  the  microscope,  and  a  careful  study  of  their  minuter 
details,  the  classification  of  them  might  be  improved.  The  paper  was  illustrated  by  about 
thirty  figures  carefully  drawn  by  himself,  with  the  aid  of  the  microscope. 

In  1841,  he  read  before  this  Society  a.  paper  entitled  "  Results  of  an  examination  of  the 
species  of  shells  of  Massachusetts,  and  of  their  geographical  distribution."  This  is  the 
more  noteworthy  since  the  geographical  distribution  of  animals  had  at  that  time  attracted 
but  httle  attention,  and  none  amongst  us.  Now  it  involves  one  of  the  ir^ost  important 
zoological  problems. 

Dr.  Gould  also  points  out  in  this  paper  the  influence  of  shore  outlines,  and  shows  from  a 
comparison  of  species,  that  Cape  Cod,  which  stretches  out  into  the  sea  in  a  curved  direc- 
tion some  forty  or  fifty  miles,  forms  to  some  species  an  impassable  barrier.  Of  two 
hundred  and  three  species,  eighty  do  not  ])ass  to  the  south,  and  thirty  have  not  been  found 
to  the  north.  In  the  same  paper  he  calls  attention  to  the  importance  of  the  flict  that  cer- 
tain species  appear  and  disappear  suddenly,  and  of  the  necessity,  in  order  to  construct  a 
correct  catalogue  of  the  shells  of  any  region,  to  extend  observations  through  a  series  ot 
years,  a  consideration  by  which  many  naturalists,  even  of  the  present  day,  might  profit. 

One  of  the  first  results  of  the  joint  action  of  the  members  of  this  Society,  and  of  which  it 
has  more  reason  to  be  proud  than  any  other,  was  the  part  taken  by  some  of  them  in  the 
series  of  admirable  reports  on  the  natural  history  of  the  State,  presented  to  the  General 
Court  in  compliance  with  a  legislative  enactment.  The  report  on  the  Invertebrate  Animals, 
excepting  insects,  was  by  Dr.  Gould. 


114  HISTORICAL   SKETCH    OF    THE 

The  Molluscs  were  Dr.  Gould's  favorite  subject  for  studj',  and  his  attention  was  chiefly 
given  to  them.  Up  to  this  time,  few  if  any  attempts  had  been  made  to  give  as  complete  a 
zoological  survey  as  practicable  of  any  particular  region  of  the  United  States.  As  regards 
the  Molluscs,  the  desci'iptions  of  Say,  Conrad  and  others,  pioneers  in  conchology,  pertained 
more  to  the  Middle  and  Western  States,  than  to  New  England.  Their  writings  were  frag- 
mentary and  scattered  through  the  narratives  of  travels,  joiu^nals  of  science,  and  even  news- 
papers. It  was  no  small  labor,  therefore,  to  become  acquainted,  merely  as  a  preparation 
for  his  task,  with  the  writings  of  his  predecessors.  To  malvc  his  report  as  complete  as 
possible,  and  to  ascertain  what  changes  in  tlie  classification  of  Molluscs  recent  important 
progress  growing  out  of  the  study  of  them  would  indicate,  he  opened  correspondence  for 
information  and  exchanges  with  European  naturalists  interested  in  the  same  branch  of 
study,  who  obligingly  and  courteously  lent  their  aid,  and  out  of  this  correspondence  grew 
up  long  continued  friendships. 

The  report  fills  a  volume  of  nearly  four  hundred  pages,  illustrated  by  more  than  two 
hundred  figures  skillfully  di'awn  from  nature  l>y  himself.  "  Every  species  described,"  he  says, 
"  indeed  almost  every  species  mentioned,  has  passed  under  my  own  eye.  The  descriptions 
of  species  previously  known,  liave  been  written  anew,  partly  that  they  be  more  minute  in 
particulars,  and  partly  with  the  hope  of  using  language  somewhat  less  technical  than  is 
ordinarily  employed  by  scientific  men."  The  number  of  species  described  was  about  two 
hundred  and  seventy-five  of  Molluscs  and  nearly  one  hundred  of  Crustaceans  and  Eadiates. 

As  a  contribution  to  zoological  science,  this  report  gave  him  an  honorable  name  and  an 
eminent  position  among  the  naturalists  of  Europe  and  America, 

Dr.  Gould  edited  the  admirable  work  entitled  "The  Terrestrial  Air-breathiug  Molluscs 
of  the  United  States,"  prepared,  but  left  unfinished  at  the  time  of  his  death,  by  his  intimate 
friend,  Dr.  Amos  Binney,  formerly  the  respected  president  of  this  Society,  and  whose  name 
we  hold  in  grateful  remembrance,  not  only  for  his  contribritions  to  science,  but  for  the 
munificent  bequest  which  fills  so  large  a  space  on  the  shelves  of  our  library. 

In  1848  he  was  associated  with  Prof  Agassiz  in  the  preparation  of  the  Principles  of 
Zoology. 

His  largest  and  most  important  contribution  to  natural  history  was  the  description  of  the 
shells  of  the  United  States  Exploring  Expedition.  This  was  prepared  under  circiunstances 
somewiiat  embarassing.  The  collection  was  not  made  by  himself,  but  by  the  late  Capt. 
Joseph  P.  Couthouy,  well  remembered  as  one  of  the  most  zealous  and  active  members  of  this 
Society.  Cajit.  Couthouy  had  drawn  up  full  notes  on  the  external  characters  of  the  soft 
parts,  habits,  geographical  description,  and  other  important  jioints.  Before  the  voyage 
was  completed  he  left  the  expedition,  )>ut  the  notes  and  collections  were  sent  to  Washing, 
ton.  The  former  were  miaccountably  lost,  and  no  trace  of  them  was  found.  The  collec- 
tions, when  they  came  into  the  hands  of  the  Navy  Department,  were  repacked  by  incom- 
jjetent  hands,  the  arrangement  of  them  disturbed,  laljels  in  many  cases  lost,  and  the  ■whole 
thrown  more  or  less  into  confusion.  Dr.  Gould  was  called  upon  to  save  this  wi^eck,  but  in 
accepting  the  task  was  obliged  to  submit  to  various  ai'bitrary  restrictions,  and  to  leave 
undone  many  things  he  deemed  of  much  importance. 

The  Otia  Conchologica  was  the  last  of  his  printed  volumes,  but  this  was  merely  a 
reprint  in  a  condensed  Ibnn  of  the  descriptions  of  species  of  shells  previously  published 


BOSTON  SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL   HISTORY.  115 

separately  in  different  works.  Besides  the  works  already  mentioned,  there  is  a  long  cata- 
logue of  cominunications  made  to  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History,which  may  be 
referred  to  as  showing  that  he  did  not  allow  himself  to  become  a  mere  specialist,  but  kept 
his  mind  awake  to  the  relation  of  individual  forms  to  higher  and  more  general  truths. 

We  must  not  forget  that  Dr.  Gould  was  a  member  of  the  medical  profession,  and  that 
his  time  was  of  necessity  chiefly  devoted  to  this,  while  the  scientific  lal^ors  we  have  been 
considering  were  the  yield  of  sj^are  moments  made  useful.  He  was  an  active  member  of 
the  medical  societies  of  this  city  and  of  tha  State  and  held  offices  of  trust  in  them.  The 
Massachusetts  Medical  Society  conferred  on  him  the  honors  which  it  has  to  bestow  upon 
its  fellows.  In  1855  he  delivered  the  annual  address,  which  was  marked  for  the  soundness 
of  its  views  and  the  characteristic  clearness  and  elegance  with  which  they  were  presented 
He  took  for  his  text  the  advice  of  Harvey  to  the  Koyal  College  of  Physicians  of  London 
when  he  founded  the  annual  oration  which  bears  his  name,  and  in  which,  among  other 
things,  he  enjoins  upon  the  orator  "an  exhortation  to  the  members  to  study  and  search 
out  the  secrets  of  nature  by  the  way  of  experiment."  Dr.  Gould  was  elected  president 
of  the  Medical  Society,  and  his  term  of  office  ended  within  a  few  months  of  his  death.  He 
was  for  several  years  one  of  the  physicians  of  the  Massachusetts  General  Hospital,  was  an 
efficient  member  of  the  Boston  Society  for  Medical  Impi-ovement,  where  he  often  com- 
municated valuable  observations,  and  took  an  active  part  in  its  discussions.  He  labored 
much  and  long  in  preparing  the  vital  statistics  of  the  State  from  the  official  returns. 

At  one  of  the  meetings  of  the  National  Academy  of  Sciences,  of  which  he  was  a  mem- 
bex',  he  presented  an  important  paper  on  the  distribution  of  certain  diseases,  especially 
consumption,  in  reference  to  the  hygienic  choice  of  a  location  for  the  cure  of  invalid 
soldiers. 

As  a  citizen.  Dr.  Gould  made  a  principle  of  going  out  of  the  ordinary  routine  of  life  to 
lend  a  helping  hand  wherever  it  was  desired,  and  he  could.  He  served  the  public  in  many 
capacities ;  in  the  religious  society  of  which  he  was  from  early  life  a  member,  and  in  the 
public  schools,  where  he  took  an  active  interest  in  all  attempts  to  improve  the  ways  and 
means  of  instruction.  He  from  time  to  time  gave  public  lectures,  and  although  in  this 
capacity  he  could  not  be  said  to  be  brilliant  or  highly  accomplished,  yet  his  unostentatious 
manner  and  simplicity,  his  knowledge  of  liis  subject  and  hearty  interest  in  it,  always 
gained  him  attentive  listeners,  who  went  away  instructed. 

In  his  temperament  he  was  genial,  and  drew  friends  around  him,  retaining  the  old  and 
attracting  the  new.  He  came  to  the  social  gathering  with  joyous  face  and  kindly  feelings. 
His  love  for  natural  scenery  was  genuine  and  hearty,  and  whatever  personal  enjoyment 
came  from  this  source,  it  was  always  enhanced  if  others  partook  of  it  with  him.  There 
are  too  many  naturalists  who  stand  in  the  presence  of  nature  all  their  days,  but  see  her 
not.  To  them  the  world  offers  nothing  but  the  forms  they  would  technically  describe  and 
arrange  in  their  cabinets.  Take  away  this  object  and  all  becomes  a  waste,  for  they  are 
neither  warmed  nor  enlivened  by  the  world  around  them.  Not  so  with  our  associate  ;  no 
one  toiled  more  industriously  than  he  over  individual  forms  and  specific  descriptions ;  but 
all  this  aside,  every  aspect  of  nature  touched  him  to  the  innermost.  Those  who  have 
been  intimate  with  him  know  how  his  face  would  light  up  while  in  the  presence  of  the 
least  as  well  as  of  the   greatest  natural  objects !  the  llower  of  a  day,  or  the  sturdy  tree 


116  HISTORICAL   SKETCH   OF   THE 

that  had  known  its  centuries  of  life,  the  qviiet  or  the  grander  scenes  of  the  world.  Plis 
emotions  were  not  those  of  an  enthusiast,  hut  rather  came  of  a  clear  perception  and  calm 
contemplation  of  the  things  around  him,  and  of  his  own  responsive  nature. 

His  life,  all  too  poorl_y  and  inadequately  represented  in  this  sketch,  was  throughout  a 
consistent  one,  and  to  the  end  each  day  Avas  full  to  the  round.  He  was  still  endeavoring 
to  improve  what  had  been  done  before,  and  looking  forward  to  the  accomplishment  of  new 
and  better  ends,  when  suddenly  it  was  closed.  He  had  been  less  well  than  usual;  on  the 
afternoon  of  September  14th,  1866,  he  manifested  the  usual  symptoms  of  an  attack  of 
Asiatic  cholei-a,  soon  after  fell  into  a  state  of  collapse,  and  on  the  following  morning  just 
before  the  dawn,  he  died. 

The  office  of  Custodian,  it  will  be  remembered,  was  created  in  May  1864,  and  Mr.  Sam- 
uel H.  Scudder  was  elected  to  fill  it.  He  held  it  one  year  only,  when  it  became  vacant 
and  remained  so  until  October  3d  of  this  year,  Dr.  Packard  performing  its  duties  tempora- 
rily by  appointment  of  the  Council.  The  great  importance  of  having  the  constant 
services  of  some  able  person  who  would  at  the  same  time  perform  the  special  duties 
appertaining  to  this  office  and  also  act  as  Lilirarian  and  Recording  Secretary,  led  the  Com- 
mittee on  nominations  to  propose  Mr.  Scudder  again  to  the  Society  for  Custodian,  and  he 
was  elected.  An  arrangement  was  then  made  by  the  Council  with  him,  by  which  it 
was  agreed  that  he  should  give  his  undivided  attention  to  the  wants  of  the  Society  through- 
out tlie  year,  excepting  such  time  as  might  l)e  allowed  him  for  a  vacation  of  from  one  to 
two  months,  and  that  he  should  jjerform  all  duties  of  Custodian,  Librarian  and  Recording 
Secretary.  The  Society  to  provide  permanent  assistance  in  the  Library  department  as 
heretofore,  and  also  in  the  special  manipulation  of  specimens  which  require  immediate  care 
for  their  preservation. 

Before  the  death  of  our  lamented  associate.  Dr.  Gould,  there  had  been  some  negotiation 
with  him  for  the  purchase  of  his  caliinet  of  shells,  as  he  had  expressed  a  willingness  to 
part  with  it  to  the  Society  at  a  price  much  less  than  he  would  be  willing  to  accept  from 
any  other  party,  as  he  desired  it  should  finally  have  a  place  in  the  Museum.  The  only 
reason  why  the  purchase  had  not  lieen  consiunmated  was  that  Dr.  Gould  first  wished  to  put 
it  in  good  order,  and  to  properly  label  all  the  specimens.  This  work  he  did  not  find  leisure 
to  do,  and  consequently  much  time  of  an  able  conchologist  would  be  required  to  perform 
it.  It  was  deemed  therefore  inexpedient  to  compete  with  others  who  offered  more  than 
the  Society  could  afford  to  pay.  This  was  more  to  be  regretted  because  of  its  having  been 
the  collection  of  one  so  much  revered  by  the  members,  and  laecause  it  contained  many  t3'pe 
specimens  of  species  described  by  him.  A  large  number  of  the  species  were,  however, 
already  in  our  cabinet. 

In  November,  the  Society,  upon  motion  of  Dr.  J.  C.  White,  passed  resolutions  expressing 
appreciation  of  the  value  of  the  gift  of  Mr.  Peabody  to  Harvard  University  for  the  founda- 
tion of  a  Museum  and  Professorship  of  American  Archaeology  and  Ethnology,  and 
great  pleasure  in  the  recognition  on  his  part  of  the  relation  of  this  Society  to  that  impor- 
tant department  of  Science  in  the  selection  of  its  President  for  one  of  the  Trustees  of  the 
munificent  endowment  made  by  him. 

By  the  terms  of  this  donation,  the  President  of  the  Society  is,  ex-officlo,  one  of  the 
Trustees. 


BOSTON   SOCIETY   OF   NATURAL  HISTORY.  117 

At  the  meeting  of  Nov.  2cl,  Mi-.  Thos.  T.  Bouvt!  was  elected  Vice-President  of  the  Soci- 
ety, to  fill  the  vacancj'  made  by  the  death  of  Dr.  Gould. 

A  Section  of  Entomology  was  formed  at  the  meeting  of  Nov.  28th.  Members  of  the  Soci- 
ety only  to  be  members  of  the  section,  the  President  of  the  Society  to  be  ex-officio  President 
of  the  section,  and  the  Recording  Secretary  of  the  Society  Recording  Secretary  of  the 
section.  The  meetings  to  be  held  on  the  evening  of  the  4th  Wednesday  of  each  month. 
1867.  In  January  of  this  year,  Palaentology,  which  had  been  comlained  with  Geology, 
was  raised  to  a  separate  department,  and  Thomas  T.  Bouve  was  made  its  Curator.  Wm. 
T.  Brigham  was  chosen  Curator  of  Geolog}^ 

Early  in  this  year  the  Society  was  the  recipient  of  a  munificent  bequest  from  Miss  Sarah 
P.  Pratt.  This  lady  had  long  been  interested  in  the  study  of  conchology,  and  had  made  a 
large  collection  of  shells  obtained  from  every  quarter  of  the  globe,  many  of  them  being  of 
rare  species.  The  whole  cabinet,  consisting  of  more  than  4000  specimens,  was  bequeathed 
to  the  Society,  together  with  her  library  and  works  on  conchology,  and  the  sum  of  |10,000 
to  be  held  as  a  fund  for  the  increase  and  maintenance  of  the  department  devoted  to  that 
science. 

As  with  individuals,  so  with  institutions,  events  often  succeed  each  other  of  the  most 
diverse  character,  those  of  a  joj^ful  following  such  as  are  painful,  and  the  reverse.  Not  a 
week  had  elapsed  after  the  announcement  of  the  bequest  alcove-mentioned,  when  news  was 
received  of  the  death  of  one  of  the  great  benefactors  of  the  Society,  Dr.  Henry  Bryant. 
At  a  meeting  held  on  the  20th  of  February,  after  some  remarks  by  Mr.  Bouve  expressive 
of  the  feeling  that  pervaded  and  saddened  all  hearts,  a  committee  consisting  of  Drs.  S.  L. 
Abbot  and  J.  C.  White,  and  J.  E.  Cabot,  Esq.,  was  appointed  to  prepare  a  notice  of  the 
professional  and  scientific  life  of  the  deceased. 

In  behalf  of  this  committee.  Dr.  S.  L.  Abbot  subsequently  read  before  the  Society  a  veiy 
full  and  discriminating  notice  of  Dr.  Bryant,  which  appeared  in  Vol.  XI  of  the  published 
Proceedings,  and  from  which  the  following  brief  abstract  is  given. 

Dr.  Henry  Bryant  was  born  in  Boston,  May  12,  1820.  He  entered  Harvard  University 
in  1836,  graduated  in  1840,  then  studied  medicine  in  the  Tremont  Medical  School,  from 
which  he  receive^  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine  in  1843.  He  afterwards  studied  in 
Paris  and  subsequently  joined  the  French  army  in  Africa  as  a  volunteer  surgeon,  in  which 
capacity  he  served  during  the  winter  campagn  of  1846.  He  returned  home  in  1847  and 
commenced  the  practice  of  his  jirofession.  His  health  failing  him  he  was  oljliged  to  <i-ive 
up  practice,  and  he  ever  after  devoted  himself  to  the  study  of  Ornithology,  which  had  always 
been  a  favorite  pursuit  with  him.  The  precarious  state  of  his  health  compelled  him  to 
take  a  great  deal  of  outdoor  exercise,  and  his  active,  energetic  temperament  led  him  often  to 
the  most  distant  parts  of  the  country  for  the  purpose  of  collecting  specimens  of  Orni- 
thology. He  had  a  singular  power  of  endurance,  and  invalid  as  he  was,  a  most  stoical 
indifference  to  considerations  of  personal  comfort  on  these  expeditions,  which  sometimes 
lasted  for  months,  many  of  them  being  out  of  the  country  among  the  West  India  Islands. 
On  the  outbreak  of  the  civil  war,  he  offered  himself  as  a  candidate  for  the  position  of 
assistant  surgeon  in  the  regular  army,  and  after  a  very  severe  examination  was  accepted, 
but  subsequently  was  appointed  surgeon  of  the  20th  regiment  Massachusetts  Volunteers 
being  promoted  to  be  brigade   surgeon,  in  September,  1861.     He  was  afterwards  Med- 


118  HISTORICAL   SKETCH  OF  THE 

ical  Director  in  the  army  of  General  Shields,  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley.  While  engaged 
in  this  service  he  was  severely  hurt  by  his  horse  falling  upon  him,  and  confined  to  his  bed 
for  a  jiortion  of  the  many  months  during  Avhich  he  suffered  from  his  injuries.  Yet 
although  it  was  even  thought  for  a  while  that  he  might  have  to  undergo  amputation  of  his 
foot,  he  continued  on  duty  all  the  time,  and  in  the  midst  of  his  sufferings  organized  the 
military  hospitals  at  Winchester.  In  August,  1862,  he  took  charge  of  the  Cliftburn  hos- 
pital near  Washington,  and  in  December,  1862,  was  ordered  to  assume  the  care  and  oj^er- 
ation  of  the  Lincoln  hospital,  in  Washington,  which  under  his  thorough  and  most  excellent 
administration,  was  regarded  as  a  model  hospital.  But  close  confinement  and  excessive 
mental  labor  broke  down  his  health  and  strength,  and  he  was  eventually  compelled  in 
May,  1863,  to  resign  his  commission.  His  fixithful  service  in  his  country's  cause  very 
nearly  cost  bun  his  life,  so  utterly  exhausted  had  he  become  by  unremitting  work. 

After  the  close  of  the  war  he  went  to  Europe  twice,  and  in  December,  I860,  visited 
Porto  Rico.  For  some  weeks  he  travelled  about  the  island,  suffering  extremely  from  ill 
health  all  the  time,  but  working  at  his  favorite  pursuits  unintermittingly,  until  the  1st  of 
February,  when  he  was  taken  with  what  proved  to  be  his  last  violent  attack  of  illness, 
Avhile  on  an  expedition  in  the  country,  and  died  the  next  day. 

Dr.  Bryant  was  no  common  man.  He  was  peculiar  in  certain  ways,  1nit  much  of  this 
peculiarity  arose  undoubtedly  from  his  ill  health  and  bodily  suffering.  His  thorough- 
ness, intellectual  honesty,  and  faithfulness  to  duty  were  marked  characteristics  through 
his  whole  career.  He  was  as  true  as  steel,  through  and  through  genuine,  and  with  far 
more  kindliness  and  wider  sympathy  than  he  ever  liked  to  show.  Dr.  Bryant  was  elected 
a  member  of  this  Society  in  November,  1841.  He  served  as  Cabinet-keeper  for  a  part  of 
1843,  and  took  charge  in  1855  of  the  Entomological  collection  for  a  time.  From  1854  to 
the  time  of  his  death,  he  was  Curator  of  Ornithology. 

He  was  a  most  munificent  friend  to  the  Museum  of  the  Society,  his  donations  embracing 
reptiles,  fishes,  crustaceous  insects,  minerals  and  birds.  His  most  valuable  gift  was  the 
magnificent  Lafresnaye  collection  of  birds,  which  amounted  to  nearly  nine  thousand  fine 
specimens.  Extensive  pecuniary  aid  was  also  received  from  him  whenever  the  purchase 
of  collections  was  desirable  for  the  museum. 

Dr.  Bryant  married  in  1848,  Miss  Elizabeth  B.  Sohier,  daughter  of  W.  D.  Sohier,  Esq., 
of  Boston. 

In  March  of  this  year  Professor  Baird,  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  expressed  a  strong 
desire  that  the  Society  should  cooperate  with  that  institution  in  extending  the  system  of 
explorations  undertaken  by  it,  in  return  for  which  the  Society  should  receive  the  first 
choice  among  the  duplicates  of  objects  of  natural  history.  He  desired  a  yearly  approj^ria- 
tion  of  $500. 

There  was  a  unanimous  wish  on  the  part  of  the  Council  to  act  favorablj'  upon  the  propo- 
sition which  resulted  in  a  vote  :  "That  the  sum  of  f  500  be  placed  at  the  disposal  of  the 
Assistant  Secretary  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution  for  the  pui-pose  mentioned,  and  that  the 
Secretary  intimate  the  desire  of  the  Council  to  assist  further  at  a  future  time." 

April.  The  necessity  of  refraining  from  any  account  of  the  scientific  papers  brought 
before  the  Society  or  of  the  discussions  that  took  pla^e  at  the  meetings,  in  order  to  con- 
fine this  sketch  within  reasonable  limits,  has  often  prevented  even  a  reference  to  much  of 


BOSTON   SOCIETY   OF   NATURAL  HISTORY.  119 

public  interest.  There  was  one  subject,  however,  brought  before  the  meeting  of  April 
17th  of  this  year,  which  is  here  mentioned,  because  there  is  yet  quite  as  much  diversity  of 
opinion  upon  it  as  at  that  time,  and  some  readers  may  be  interested  to  learn  where  to  look 
for  the  views  of  two  distingivished  members  of  the  Society  whose  investigations  led  them 
to  diametrically  opposite  conclusions.  This  subject  was  pivactically  what  was  likely  to  be 
the  result  of  the  introduction  here  of  the  common  house-sparrow  of  Europe.  Dr.  Charles 
Pickering  ably  presented  his  ideas  on  the  question,  maintaining  that  nothing  but  evil  would 
follow  their  increase  ;  that  its  habits  were  of  the  most  destructive  character  and  that  it  had 
been  the  enemy  of  mankind  for  five  thousand  years.  Dr.  Thomas  M.  Brewer,  on  the 
other  hand,  at  a  sul)sequent  meeting,  defended  the  bird  from  the  charges  preferred  against 
it,  claimed  that  it  had  already  accomplished  much  good  in  the  destruction  of  insects,  and 
cited  the  authority  of  many  authors  in  proof  of  its  great  usefulness.  The  pa^^ers  pre- 
sented were  meagrely  reported,  but  may  be  found  in  the  eleventh  volume  of  the  Pro- 
ceedings. 

The  estalalishment  of  the  Museum  of  American  Archaeology  and  Ethnology  at  Cam- 
bridge through  the  mimificence  of  George  Peabody,  Esq.,  gave  rise  to  the  question  whether 
it  was  worth  while  for  the  Society  to  continue  its  department  of  Ethnology.  After  miich 
consideration  it  was  judged  best  to  abolish  it,  and  this  was  accordingly  done  by  a  vote  of 
the  Council.  The  collection  was  afterwai'ds  presented  to  the  Peabody  Museum  of  American 
Archaeology  and  Ethnology  at  Cambridge. 

Some  of  the  rooms  of  the  Museum  which  had  remained  unfinished  were  at  this  time 
prepared  for  use  by  laying  the  floors  and  building  cases.  The  lecture  room  was  also 
finished. 

Just  before  the  annual  meeting  the  Society  was  the  recipient  of  a  bequest  from  a  former 
patron,  Mr.  Paschal  P.  Pope,  of  f  20,000.  This  large  sum  was  most  gratefully  received. 
Mr.  Pope  had  been  a  successful  merchant  and  had  accumulated  a  large  fortune,  the  greater 
portion  of  which  he  bequeathed  to  various  public  institutions.  He  had  the  reputation  of 
being  a  highly  honoral^le  man,  and  died  at  an  advanced  age,  much  respected  by  all  who 
knew  him. 

At  the  annual  meeting.  May  1st,  the  Custodian  reported  that  there  were  now  held  every 
week  meetings  of  the  general  Society,  or  of  the  sections  of  Entomology  and  Microscopy. 
There  had  been  thirty-five  meetings  of  the  Society ;  forty-four  communications  on  various 
branches  of  natural  history  had  been  read ;  forty-one  Resident,  seven  Corresponding,  and 
four  Honorary  Members  elected.  The  first  number  of  the  Memoirs  in  quarto  had  been 
issued,  and  the  first  quarter  of  Volume  XI  of  the  Proceedings  completed.  The  museum 
had  been  open  one  hundred  and  one  days,  with  an  average  of  three  hundred  and  twelve 
visitors  per  diem. 

The  Library  had  increased  in  size,  mainly  through  the  efforts  made  to  effect  exchanges 
for  our  publications  by  the  Librarian  when  in  Europe.  It  will  pex-haps  surprise  readers  to 
learn  that  an  amount  equivalent  to  -100,000  octavo  pages  of  the  publications  of  the  Society 
had  been  sent  away  during  the  year. 

The  donations  to  the  cabinet  had  been  less  numerous  than  usual.     Including  the  bequest 
of  Miss  Pratt,  there  had  been   added  20,202  specimens.     Among   these  and  worthy  of 
mention,  was  a  valuable  collection  of  volcanic  specimens  from  the  Hawaiian  Islands,  pre 
sen  ted  by  Mr.  Wm.  T.  Brigham. 


120  HISTORICAL   SKETCH   OF   THE 

The  Treasurer's  report  sliowed  receipts  from  all  sources,  of  $13,281.23,  and  expenditures 
of  $11,022.93. 

There  had  been  no  essays  offered  in  competition  for  the  annual  Walker  prize. 

The  changes  in  the  officers  at  the  election  were  in  Alpheus  Hyatt  being  chosen  Curator 
of  Palaeontology  in  place  of  Thomas  T.  Bouve  ;  J.  Eliot  Cabot,  Curator  of  Ornithology, 
in  place  of  Dr.  Henry  Bryant,  deceased ;  and  Edward  S.  Morse,  Curator  of  Conchology,  in 
place  of  Alpheus  Hyatt. 

At  a  meeting  in  June  of  this  year,  the  death  of  Thomas  Bulfiuch,  long  a  member  of  the 
Society,  and  for  six  years  its  Recording  Secretary,  was  announced  by  the  Rev.  R.  C.  Water- 
ston,  with  appropriate  remarks  upon  his  life  and  character. 

Mr.  Bulfinch  was  deservedly  held  in  great  esteem  by  all  the  members  of  the  Society. 
His  fiiithful  devotion  to  his  duty,  his  genial  manner,  his  loving  and  sympathetic  nature, 
all  conspired  to  endear  him  to  them  and  to  make  his  loss  deeply  felt,  particularly  to  those 
Avith  whom  he  was  associ<ated  in  the  work  of  the  Society  in  earlier  years. 

On  motion  of  Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson,  Mr.  Waterston  was  requested  to  prepare  a  fitting  trib- 
ute to  the  memory  of  the  departed  for  tlie  Proceedings,  which  he  did  by  an  exceedingly 
interesting  sketch  of  his  life  and  character,  and  which  may  be  found  in  Volume  XL 
The  following  is  a  brief  abstract  from  this  paper. 

Thomas  Bulfinch  was  born  July  14th,  1796,  at  Newton,  Mass.  He  was  the  second  son 
of  Charles  Bulfinch,  whose  reputation  as  an  architect  at  that  day  stood  among  the  highest 
in  the  pi'ofession.  Graduating  from  Harvard  University  in  1814,  he  numbered  among  his 
classmates  Prescott  the  historian,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Greenwood  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Lamson. 
After  leaving  college,  Mr.  Bulfinch  was  chosen  usher  in  the  Latin  School.  Here  he 
remained  fourteen  months,  when  feeling  no  very  strong  inclination  for  either  of  the  profe.s- 
sions,  he  entered  upon  the  active  duties  of  a  business  life.  Two  years  were  thus  spent  in 
Boston,  when  he  was  led  to  remove  to  Washington,  where  his  father  was  engaged  as  archi- 
tect in  the  erection  of  the  Capitol.  Here  he  resided  seven  years,  when  in  1825  he  returned 
to  Boston,  entering  into  a  copartnership  with  his  relative,  Mr.  Joseph  Coolidge.  This  con- 
nection continued  until  1832,  when  he  was  chosen  to  a  responsible  position  in  the  Mer- 
chant's Bank,  which  he  held  until  his  death,  a  period  of  thirty  years. 

Devoted  as  he  was  to  the  duties  devolving  upon  him  as  a  man  of  business,  he  had  tastes 
aside  from  this,  yet  more  congenial  to  his  nature,  which  he  followed  with  quiet  but  persis- 
tent enthusiasm.  Thus  it  was  that  he  became  an  active  member  of  the  Society  and  its 
Recording  Secretary. 

His  mind  balanced  for  a  time  between  science  and  literature.  There  was  that  in  both 
which  awakened  his  admiration  and  exerted  an  attractive  power.  At  length,  literature 
gained  the  ascendancy,  though  science  always  continued  to  possess  a  peculiar  charm. 

In  1855  he  published  the  Age  of  Fable,  in  which  he  relates  the  stories  of  Mythology', 
Greek  and  Roman,  in  a  way  to  render  them  attractive  to  the  lovers  of  general  literature. 
This  was  followed  in  1858,  by  a  volume  on  the  Age  of  Chivalry,  or  the  Legends  of  King 
Arthur,  presenting  in  the  same  s])irit  pictures  of  a  later  age.  In  18G3  he  published  the 
Legends  of  Charlemagne,  or  the  Romance  of  the  Middle  Ages. 

There  were  other  works  of  less  importance,  all  of  which  were  the  fruit  of  care,  written 
in  hours  rescued  from  the  pressure  of  active  business. 


BOSTON  SOCIETY   OF   NATURAL  HISTORY.  121 

Mr.  Bulfincli  devoted  much  time  to  social  intercourse  among  a  circle  of  friends  who 
highly  appreciated  his  worth.  Modest  he  was,  but  not  morose,  for  a  more  genial  and  gen- 
erous nature  could  not  be  found.  Keenly  sensitive  to  the  gentle  sympathies  of  life,  he 
truly  lived  in  Iiis  affections,  and  never  was  he  weary  of  extending  kindness,  not  only  to 
companions  and  friends  who  valued  his  friendship,  but  to  the  needy  and  tried,  young  or 
old,  whoever  they  might  be. 

Much  more  might  be  said  of  Mr.  Bulfinch,  but  it  is  not  needed.  His  excellences  were 
fixmiliar  to  all.  His  quiet  and  respectful  maimer,  his  gentlemanly  consideration,  his 
conscientious  fidelity,  his  love  of  learning,  his  Christian  trust  and  faith ;  these  were  an 
indispensable  part  of  himself 

Members  of  the  Society  and  other  visitors  to  the  Library  will  recall  with  pleasure,  not 
luunixed  with  sadness,  a  very  agreealjle  young  lady  of  great  excellence  who  at  this  period 
and  for  several  years  was  an  assistant  in  the  Library.  Her  beauty  of  person,  her  vivacity, 
her  pleasing  address  and  manners,  combined  with  her  intelligence  and  readiness  to  meet  all 
the  requirements  of  her  position,  made  her  a  general  favorite.  She  was  the  daughter  of 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Blaikie,  a  Presbyterian  clergyman  of  the  city.  She  left  the  service  of  the 
Society  because  of  her  marriage,  and  soon  after  died,  to  the  great  grief  of  all  who  had  been 
associated  with  her. 

It  was  quite  apparent  before  the  close  of  this  year  that  farther  assistance  than  what  had 
hitlierto  been  employed  was  required  in  the  Museum,  if  the  collections  were  to  be  pre- 
served from  ruin.  It  was  therefore  voted  in  Council  to  employ  Mr.  F.  G.  Sanborn  as 
assistant  in  the  Museum  from  the  1st  of  January,  to  act  under  the  direction  of  the  Cus- 
todian. 

Two  courses  of  lectures  were  authorized  by  the  Society  for  the  winter  of  1867-8. 
One  given  by  Edward  S.  Morse,  consisting  of  six  on  the  natural  history  of  the  mollusca, 
or  shell  fish,  on  Saturday  afternoons,  commenced  Dec.  7th,  and  continued  weekly.  The 
other  by  Horace  Mann,  consisting  of  eight,  on  structural  botany,  commenced  March  7th. 
The  lecturers  were  paid  $25  for  each  lecture,  and  an  admission  fee  of  $1  for  the  course 
was  charged  those  who  attended.  The  cost  of  giving  these  lectures  exceeded  the  amount 
received  from  the  sale  of  tickets,  $114.37. 

1868.  From  the  Report  of  the  Custodian,  made  at  the  annual  meeting  in  May,  we 
learn  how  much  had  been  done  during  the  year  towards  preparing  unfinished  portions  of 
the  building  for  use.  Besides  the  lecture  room,  in  which  for  the  first  time  the  annual 
meeting  was  held,  the  rear  library  room  had  been  fmrnished  for  use  and  was  now  occupied, 
two  exhibition  rooms  fitted  up,  and  new  cases  built  for  several  of  the  departments.  A 
printing  office  had  been  prepared  in  the  basement,  and  the  Janitor's  apartments  remod- 
elled. 

There  had  been  twenty  general  meetings  of  the  Society,  seven  of  the  Section  of  Micro- 
scopy, and  nine  of  that  of  Entomology.  The  average  attendance  at  the  general  meet- 
ings was  about  forty,  and  at  each  of  the  sections  about  nine. 

There  had  been  eighty-six  communications  made,  of  which  fifty-six  were  at  the  general 
meetings  of  the  Society,  the  others  being  at  meetings  of  the  Sections.  One  Honorary, 
two   Corresponding,  and  forty  Resident  Members  had  been  elected. 


122  HISTORICAL   SKETCH   OF  THE 

Thei'e  had  been  issued  of  the  publications  of  the  Society,  the  second  and  third  parts  of 
the  Memoirs,  and  the  fourth  and  conckiding  part  of  the  first  volume  was  in  press.  The 
eleventh  volume  of  the  Proceedings  had  been  completed,  and  a  new  edition  of  six  signa- 
tures of  the  eighth  volume  printed. 

Great  additions  to  the  Museum  had  been  made  during  the  year,  the  most  important 
being  a  very  fine  series  of  humming  birds,  embracing  over  700  specimens,  com- 
prising about  300  species,  from  Mrs.  Henry  Bryant;  a  large  collection  of  eggs,  numljer- 
ing  1500  specimens,  comprising  more  than  350  species,  from  the  same  lady;  a  collection 
of  more  than  2000  Guatemalan  biixls  purchased ;  a  large  donation  of  several  thousand 
rock  and  fossil  specimens  from  Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson ;  and  a  collection  of  skulls  from  Arizona; 
given  by  Dr.  J.  W.  Merriam. 

The  collections  of  the  several  departmeiits  were  reported  generally  to  be  in  good  con- 
dition, though  that  of  Entomology  had  suffered  some  injury  from  the  ravages  of  Anthreni. 
These  pests,  had  however,  been  entirely  eradicated,  and  it  was  hoped  that  by  constant  vigi- 
lance they  would  be  prevented  from  doing  farther  harm.  Some  remarks  made  by  the 
Custodian  before  closing  his  report,  are  worthy  of  notice.  He  said,  in  referring  to  the 
growth  of  the  Society:  "The  small  collections  received  at  first  had  a  certain  charm  of 
novelty  which  attracted  the  lovers  of  nature,  and  were  midoubtedly  a  principal  means  of 
sustaixiing  the  interest  of  its  members ;  l3ut  the  times  have  greatly  changed ;  for  while  the 
number  of  members  who  give  their  personal  attention  to  the  care  of  the  collections  is 
scarcely  greater  than  in  former  years,  the  collections  have  increased  an  hundred  fold,  and 
the  ratio  of  increase  does  not  seem  to  lessen.  Now  it  is  manifestly  unpossible  for  such  a 
state  of  things  to  continue,  if  the  Museum  is  to  maintain  an  appearance  creditable  to  the 
name  and  honor  of  the  Society.  On  this  account  several  years  ago  a  regular  Custodian 
was  appointed ;  for  the  same  reason  the  Council  found  it  necessary,  within  a  few  months,  to 
engage  the  services  of  a  regular  assistant,  whose  labors  have  been  already  felt  in  every 
department.  On  similar  grounds,  I  believe  that  in  a  short  time,  the  services  of  many 
assistants  will  be  indispensable ;  indeed  I  am  convinced  that  at  least  one  or  two  more  are 
needed  at  the  present  moment,  and  that  from  this  time  forward  the  greater  jiart  of  the 
work  of  the  Museum  should  be  done  by  regular  salaried  assistants,  mider  the  direction  of 
the  officers." 

The  report  of  the  Treasurer  showed,  including  all  sources  of  income  available  for  gen- 
eral purposes,  an  excess  of  expenditures  over  receij^ts  of  $;208.05. 

Dr.  J.  C.  White,  notwithstanding  urgent  solicitation  that  he  would  continue  to  hold  the 
position  in  which  he  had  faithfully  served  the  Society,  positively  declined  reelection.  He 
had  been  Curator  of  the  department  of  Mammals  and  Comparative  Anatomy  for  nearly 
ten  years,  devoting  a  considerable  poi'tion  of  his  time  to  laborious  work  upon  the  collec- 
tion, not  a  small  part  of  which  his  wise  and  skilful  management  saved  from  destruction. 
He  was,  moreover,  very  efficient  in  obtaming  specimens  for  the  department,  thus  contrib- 
uting to  its  large  increase. 

At  the  election,  all  the  officers  were  re-chosen  excepting  Dr.  White.  No  one  was  sub- 
stituted in  his  place. 

It  may  be  remembered  by  the  reader  that  in  1837  permission  had  been  given  to  mem- 
bers to  bring  with  them  to  the  meetings  ladies  of  their  iamilies  and  such  others  as  they 


BOSTON   SOCIETY   OF  NATURAL   HISTORY.  123 

might  choose  to  invite,  and  that  the  temporary  effect  of  this  at  least  had  been  beneficial , 
leading  to  a  better  attendance  on  the  part  of  the  members  tliemselves.  As  stated  subse- 
quently, there  is  no  record  of  the  permission  having  been  withdrawn,  but  as  ladies  ceased 
to  attend,  it  is  fair  to  presume  they  did  so  from  lack  of  interest  in  the  proceedings.  Twenty 
years  had  elapsed,  and  again  an  effort  was  made  to  have  their  attendance.  Tlie  Council  at 
a  meeting  in  June  of  this  year  voted :  "  That  member's  have  permission  to  invite  ladies  to 
attend  the  second  meeting  of  each  month." 

Previous  to  the  summer  recess  the  Lecture  Committee  of  the  Council  reported  in  favor 
of  having  three  courses  of  lectures  during  the  next  succeeding  winter,  one  course  of  four 
by  Dr.  JeflTries  on  the  anatomy  of  the  eye,  one  by  Mr.  W.  H.  Niles,  of  ten  or  twelve  on  the 
Geological  History  of  North  America,  and  one  by  Mr.  Wm.  T.  Brigham  on  some  botanical 
subject.     The  report  was  accepted  and  adopted. 

In  October  Dr.  Burt  G.  Wilder  resigned  his  position  as  Curator  of  Herpetology,  being 
about  to  remove  fronr  the  State. 

November  18th,  Dr.  Chas.  F.  Folsom  was  elected  Curator  of  Comparative  Anatomy,  and 
J.  A.  Allen  Curator  of  Herpetology. 

In  November  the  death  of  Mr.  Octavius  Pickering,  long  a  member  of  the  Society  and  one 
of  the  founders  of  the  Linnaean,  was  announced  with  appropriate  remarks  by  the  President. 

At  the  next  meeting,  the  Society  was  called  upon  to  deplore  the  loss  of  another  member 
by  the  death  of  Mr.  Horace  Mann,  the  youngest  officer  in  its-service,  Curator  of  Botany. 
The  remarks  upon  the  occasion  by  Mr.  Wm.  T.  Brigham,  his  intimate  friend,  were  very 
appropriate  and  the  following  particulars  are  abstracted  from  them. 

In  his  earliest  youth  Mr.  Mann  imbibed  a  love  of  nature  from  the  teachings  of  his  father, 
and  in  opposition  to  the  advice  of  many  of  his  friends  who  wished  him  to  have  a  collegiate 
education,  entered  the  school  of  Prof  Agassiz  as  a  student  of  zoology  and  geology.  He 
was  at  the  same  time  deeply  interested  in  botany,  and  it  was  from  this  taste  that  his  friend- 
ship with  the  speaker  commenced.  In  company  they  visited  the  Hawaiian  Islands  and 
studied  the  peculiar  flora  of  that  group.  Soon  after  his  return  to  Cambridge,  Mr.  Mann 
was  appointed  assistant  to  Dr.  Gray,  and  subsequently  instructor  in  botany  in  Harvard 
College.  Besides  the  work  of  arranging  the  Thayer  Herbarium,  and  of  aiding  Dr.  Gray 
both  in  preparing  material  for  his  classes,  and  in  revising  proof  for  his  two  botanical  man- 
uals, he  worked  steadily  in  spare  hours,  often  late  into  the  night,  upon  his  Hawaiian  col- 
lections, many  thousand  specimens  of  which  were  determined,  laljelled  and  distributed. 
His  enumeration  of  Hawaiian  plants,  which  has  given  him  a  good  botanical  reputation, 
was  published  by  the  American  Academy  of  Arts  and  Sciences,  of  which  body  he  was 
elected  a  fellow  on  the  very  evening  of  his  death.  As  the  result  of  these  Hawaiian 
explorations,  five  new  genera  and  sixty-seven  new  species  were  added  to  the  flora. 

Early  in  October,  Mr.  Mann  yielded  to  the  solicitations  of  his  friends,  and  resigned  his 
college  classes ;  but  the  worst  forms  of  pulmonary  complaint  had  gone  too  flir  to  be 
checked ;  and  although  at  times  his  recovery  was  hoped  foi-,  he  continued  to  fail  rapidly, 
and  passed  away  on  the  evening  of  November  11th. 

1869.  Mr.  Edward  S.  Moi'se,  then  residing  in  Salem,  was  engaged  to  work  on  the 
shells  of  the  Pi-att  collection,  for  three  alternate  days  of  each  week  through  the  year,  the 
other  three  da^s  being  devoted  to  work  on  the  collections  of  the  Peabody  Academy. 


124  HISTORICAL   SKETCH  OF  THE 

A  new  arrangement  was  also  made  with  the  Custodian,  by  which  he  was  to  give  his 
undivided  attention  to  the  duties  of  the  position  through  the  year,  with  the  exception  of 
five  weeks  between  the  first  of  May  and  the  first  of  November,  and  three  weeks  between 
the  first  of  November  and  the  first  of  May,  he  to  have  permanent  assistance  in  the 
Library  and  Museum. 

Upon  application  to  the  City  Government,  two  police  officers  were  detailed  for  duty  at 
the  Museum  on  public  days  of  exhibition. 

An  idol  obtained  in  purchasing  other  objects  from  Guatemala  was,  by  vote  of  the  Coun- 
cil, presented  to  the  Peabody  Museum.  Authority  was  also  obtained  from  the  Marine 
Society  by  which  the  antiquities  formerly  given  by  that  institution  were  transferred  to  the 
same  Museum. 

The  Trustees  of  the  Society,  after  calling  attention  to  the  greatly  increased  expenses  of 
the  year,  and  mentioning  the  necessity  arising  therefrom  to  sell  stocks  to  the  amount  of 
$4,000  to  meet  indebtedness,  made  a  protest  against  such  large  expenditures. 

The  Council  voted  that  authors  should  be  allowed  twenty-five  copies  of  their  productions 
from  the  publications  of  the  Society,  free  of  expense. 

From  the  Eeport  of  the  Custodian  at  the  annual  meeting  in  Maj,  and  doings  of  the 
Society  for  the  year  ending  May,  18G9,  may  be  learned  as  usual  much  of  interest.  There 
had  been  twenty  general  meetings  of  the  Society,  ten  of  the  Section  of  Entomology,  and 
six  of  Microscopy.  At  the  general  meetings,  the  average  attendance  of  members  had  been 
thirty-three,  of  the  Section  of  Entomology  twelve,  and  of  that  of  Microscopy  eight.  The 
number  of  ladies  who  attended  in  response  to  the  invitation  of  the  Society,  of  course  is  not 
included.  Very  few,  however,  availed  themselves  of  the  opportunity  offered.  One  hundred 
and  five  scientific  communications  had  been  presented  by  forty-nine  persons,  of  which  the 
titles  are  given  in  the  report.  Five  Corresponding  and  twenty-nine  Resident  Members 
had  been  elected  during  the  year. 

There  had  been  three  courses  of  lectures  given  during  the  winter  and  spring  ;  the  first 
by  Dr.  B.  Joy  Jeffi'ies,  consisted  of  four  upon  Optical  Phenomena,  the  second  by  Mr.  W. 
H.  Niles,  of  twelve  upon  the  Geological  History  of  North  America,  and  the  third  by  Mr. 
Wm.  T.  Brigham,  of  twelve  upon  Plant  Life.  The  first,  not  having  been  advertised  and  the 
subject  being  of  limited  interest,  failed  to  draw  many  hearers,  the  second  was  attended  by 
an  average  of  sixty-six  persons,  the  third  by  an  audience  averaging  about  nmety-nine  per- 
sons. The  last  course  was  in  the  evening,  which  may  in  part  account  for  the  greater 
attendance. 

The  Custodian  dwelt  with  satisfaction  upon  the  large  amount  of  the  Society's  publica- 
tions, as  well  he  might  if  only  their  extent  and  value  were  considered,  and  the  consequent 
cost  ignored.  When,  however,  it  is  learned  that  what  was  done  in  this  way  led  to  an 
excess  of  expenditures  over  receipts  to  the  amount  of  thousands  of  dollars,  and  obliged  the 
Trustees  of  the  property  of  the  Society  to  encroach  largely  upon  its  capital  to  meet  this 
excess,  one  is  inclined  to  judge  there  was  little  cause  for  exultation.  A  few  years  of  such 
lavish  expenditure  could  have  had  but  one  result. 

The  issue  from  the  press  of  the  publications  of  the  Society  had  been  double  that  of  any 
previous  year,  being  not  less  than  an  equivalent  of  one  thousand  two  hundred  and  twenty- 
nine  octavo  pages.      The   twelfth  volmne  of   Proceedings  begun  a  year  previous,  had 


BOSTON   SOCIETY   OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  125 

reached  the  four  hundredth  page.  The  annual  report,  the  first  issue  of  the  publication 
called  the  "  Annual,"  a  phjsical  map  of  North  America,  the  fourth  part  of  the  Memoirs, 
and  the  first  volume  of  the  Occasional  papers  had  all  appeared,  the  latter  containing  the 
Entomological  correspondence  of  the  late  Dr.  T.  W.  Harris,  embellished  with  steel  plates 
and  wood  cuts. 

It  will  be  remembered  that  in  1867,  an  appropriation  of  $500  was  made  by  the  Council 
towards  the  expenses  of  some  explorations  to  be  made  under  the  auspices  of  the  Smitli- 
sonian  Institution,  with  the  understanding  that  the  Society  should  receive  the  first  choice 
among  the  duplicates  of  objects  of  Natural  History  collected  by  the  explorers.  Under 
this  arrangement  the  Society  received  within  the  first  year  a  series  of  birds  from  the 
Island  of  Socorro,  the  natural  history  of  which  had  been  explored  by  Col.  Grayson.  The 
specimens  received  were  of  peculiar  interest,  being  nearly  all  new  to  science,  and  distinct 
from  the  species  of  the  neighboring  continent,  or  of  islands  nearer  the  coast.  Only  a 
portion  of  the  sum  appropriated  having  been  called  for,  the  Council  again  voted  in  1868, 
that  $200  should  be  at  the  disposal  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution  for  further  explorations 
by  Col.  Grayson  in  Central  America,  and  $100  towards  an  expedition  to  be  made  by 
Prof  Sumichrast  in  Tehuantepec,  the  $300  being  what  remained  unexpended  of  the 
original  appropriation. 

During  the  past  year,  after  leaving  the  Island  of  Socorro,  Col.  Grayson  had  been  study- 
ing the  natural  history  of  the  Sierra  Madre,  from  which,  however,  returns  had  not  been 
made  of  objects  obtained  by  him.  A  fine  collection  of  birds  had,  nevertheless,  been  pre- 
sented to  the  Society,  by  Prof  Henry  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  collected  at  Costa 
Rica. 

From  the  Isthmus  of  Tehuantepec,  for  the  exploration  of  which  by  Prof  Sumichrast 
the  Society  contributed  $100,  news  had  been  received  of  a  very  promising  character. 
The  Smithsonian  Institution  had  already  received  specimens  which  had  been  distributed 
for  identification. 

One  of  our  own  members,  Mr.  W.  H.  Dall,  had  lieen  employed  by  the  Society  for  sev- 
eral months  selecting  specimens  from  the  Smithsonian  duplicates,  partly  in  return  for  the 
contributions  made  by  the  Society  towards  the  explorations  referred  to,  and  partly  as  a 
donation  from  the  Institution. 

Already  many  fossils  and  mollusks  had  been  received  by  the  Society,  and  a  collection 
of  the  nests  and  eggs  of  birds  was   expected  to  arrive. 

The  visitors  to  the  Museum  had  exceeded  thirty-six  thousand.  It  had  been  open  to 
the  public  one  hundred  and  four  days. 

In  the  department  of  Mammals  and  Comparative  Anatomy,  a  movement  had  been  made 
towards  obtaining  specimens  of  all  our  New  England  mammals,  and  to  make  room  for 
them,  the  Ethnological  collection  was  to  be  removed.  A  black  bear  and  an  antelope,  one 
the  donation  of  Mr.  W.  T.  Adams,  the  other  of  the  City,  had  already  been  received. 

The  collection  of  birds  had  been  increased  by  a  donation  of  twenty-five  specimens 
of  the  land  species  of  Massachusetts,  from  Mr.  L.  L.  Thaxter  of  Newton.  Mi-s.  Bryant 
had  again  shown  her  interest  in  tlie  Society  by  the  gift  of  a  large  and  valuable  collection 
of  unmounted  birds  from  the  West  Indies  and  Central  and  North  America,  and  from  Pro- 
fessor Henry  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  eighty  specimens  from  Costa  Rica  had  been 
received,  all  labelled  by  Mr.  Lawrence. 


126  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 

The  collection  of  Nests  and  Eggs  of  birds  had  been  entirely  rearranged.  A  statement 
was  made  showing  the  collection  at  this  time  to  consist  of  the  eggs  of  seven  hundred  birds, 
of  which  four  hundred  were  American.  A  large  numljer  of  duplicates,  valuable  for  ex- 
change, had  been  presented  by  Mi's.  Bryant,  and  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  nests  and 
eggs  by  the  Smithsonian  Institution. 

The  Curators  of  the  departments  of  Reptiles  and  Fishes  mentioned  great  deficiences  in 
the  representation  of  Massachusetts  species,  and  in  the  latter  the  need  of  help  in  order 
to  identify  and  label  the  specimens. 

The  Entomological  collection  was  stated  to  be  in  better  condition  than  it  had  been  a 
year  previous,  much  attention  having  been  given  to  its  improvement  and  preservation. 

In  refei'ring  to  the  condition  of  the  department  of  Mollusks,  the  Custodian  made  some 
remarks  of  more  than  temporary  value.  With  the  exception,  he  stated,  of  work  done  by 
the  last  Curator,  there  is  no  evidence  of  any  attention  having  been  bestowed  upon  the 
specimens  for  fifteen  years.  It  was  now  in  a  worse  condition  than  it  had  been  years  before, 
showing  that  gratuitous  aid  had  proved  a  failure.  The  Curator's  entire  attention  had  been 
given  to  the  Pratt  collection,  the  arrangement  of  which  would  be  completed  before  other 
woi'k  was  done  in  the  department. 

Of  the  other  collections  nothing  was  said  of  sufficient  importance  to  repeat  here. 

The  report  of  the  Treasurer  was  startling.  It  showed  an  excess  of  expenditures  over 
receipts  of  more  than  ^6,000,  and  a  diminution  in  the  value  of  the  Society's  property  of 
over  $13,000.  Much  of  this  latter  was  accounted  for  by  the  reduction  in  the  estimated 
value  of  the  stocks  which  had  been  received  under  the  Walker  bequest,  but  it  was  only 
too  evident  that  there  had  not  been  a  due  economy  exercised  in  the  administration  of  the 
business  of  the  Society.  Well  might  the  Trustees  protest  as  they  did,  and  well  it  was,  too, 
that  the  Council  heeded  their  warning.  The  lesson  taught  was  not  lost  upon  the  members, 
and  finally  led  to  measures  tending  to  prevent,  under  any  ordinary  circumstances,  more 
expense  of  means  than  income  warranted.  Among  these  was  that  of  requiring  from  the 
Trustees  at  the  commencement  of  each  year  an  estimate  of  the  probable  receipts  from  the 
various  sources  tabulated,  and  also  one  showing  what  expenditures  might  be  incurred  in 
the  different  departments  based  upon  such  receipts ;  there  being  a  clear  understanding 
that  under  no  avoidable  circumstances  should  there  be  expended  more  than  the  income. 
This  met  the  hearty  approval  of  all,  and  the  policy  adopted  has  been  faithfully  adhered  to 
ever  since.  It  was  not,  however,  intended  that  the  expenditure  yet  necessary  in  finishing 
the  rooms  of  the  Museum  and  in  supplying  cases  should  be  paid  for  from  the  ordinary 
income.  Whatever  was  done  in  this  way  it  was  expected  would  necessarily  be  paid  for  in 
part,  at  least,  from  the  principal  of  the  Society's  property.  At  the  meetings  of  the  Coun- 
cil followino;  the  o;eneral  meetino;,  there  was  much  discussion  concerniuij  retrenchment,  a 
strong  disposition  being  manifested  to  reduce  expenses  within  the  probable  income. 

At  a  regular  meeting  in  June  the  Rev.  Robert  C.  Waterston  reminded  the  members  of 
the  approaching  centennial  anniversary  of  tlie  birthday  of  Humboldt,  and  suggested  the 
public  celebration  of  it  by  the  Society.  lie  remarked  that  it  was  wholly  unnecessary  in 
such  a  presence  to  speak  of  Alexander  Von  Ilumljoldt  in  order  to  im])art  information  con- 
cerning one  whose  illustrious  reputation  in  so  many  departments  of  knowledge  had  made 
his  name  familiar  over  the  civilized  world.     Yet  in  view  of  what   he   had  done  for  science 


BOSTON  SOCIETY  OP  NATURAL  HISTORY.  127 

by  liis  explorations  on  this  continent,  it  seemed  particularly  appropriate  that  a  Society  like 
this  should  do  honor  to  his  memory.  He  further  remarked  tha,t  there  was  one  among  the 
members,  preeminent  in  science,  who  had  been  his  pupil  and  his  personal  friend,  Louis 
Agassiz,  who  was  specially  qualified  to  sjieak  upon  such  an  occasion.  That  to  hear  him 
menof  science  and  letters  from  every  part  of  the  country  would  gladly  assemble  to  listen 
and  to  respond. 

Although  the  matter  had  not  been  apparently  thought  of  by  any  of  the  members,  all 
present  heartily  concurred  in  the  sentiments  expressed  by  Mr.  Waterston,  recognizing  that 
in  the  Society  thus  paying  a  tribute  of  respectful  homage  to  one  of  the  noisiest  of  men, 
it  could  not  but  do  itself  great  honor.  The  proposal  therefore  met  with  a  hearty  response, 
and  the  following  resolution,  offered  by  Mr.  Waterston,  was  unanimously  adopted : 

"  Resolved,  Tliat  it  is  highly  desirable  that  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History  should 
hold  a  public  celebration  of  the  centen^iial  anniversary  of  the  birth  of  Alexander  Von 
Humboldt,  and  that  a  committee  of  five  be  appointed  to  consider  the  whole  subject  and 
empowered  to  make  all  arrangements."  The  President  appointed  on  this  committee  the 
Rev.  Robert  C.  Waterston,  Dr.  Samuel  Kneeland  and  Mr.  Samuel  H.  Scudder.  To  these 
were  subsequently  added  the  President,  Jeflries  Wyman,  His  Honor  the  Mayor,  N.  B. 
Shurtleflf,  and  Col.  T.  W.  Higginson. 

It  is  due  to  Mr.  Waterston  to  state  that  a  large  part  of  the  work  attendant  upon 
the  celebration  was  done  by  him.  That  it  might  be  a  thorough  success  and  redound 
to  the  credit  of  the  Society  and  the  community,  he  gave  up  his  whole  tune  to  it,  remain- 
ing in  the  city  during  the  hot  summer  months,  and  exex'ting  himself  to  the  utmost  that 
nothing  might  be  left  undone  that  would  add  to  the  interest  of  the  occasion.  He  not  only 
arranged  for  the  meeting  at  which  the  address  was  to  be  delivered,  but  for  a  reception  in 
the  evening,  at  which  distinguished  men  should  be  invited  to  speak,  and  he  induced  the 
City  Government  to  take  jiart  in  it  and  to  provide  an  entertainment  at  the  expense  of  the 
City. 

The  celebration  which  followed  on  the  14th  of  September  was  in  every  resjDect  a  success, 
far  exceeding  the  anticipations  of  all  who  had  favored  it.  Probably  nowhere  throughout 
the  civilized  world  was  the  day  more  appropriately  observed.  The  address  by  Agassiz  was 
worthy  of  the  man  and  the  occasion.  It  was  delivered  at  the  Music  Hall  before  an 
audience  which  filled  every  available  place  in  it.  Delegates  from  the  leading  literary 
and  scientific  societies  of  New  England  and  representatives  from  the  colleges  of  Yale, 
Bowdoin,  Brown,  Dartmouth  and  Harvard  were  present,  as  were  likewise  His  Excellency 
the  Governor  of  the  Commonwealth,  His  Honor  the  Mayor  of  the  City  and  members  of 
both  branches  of  the  City  Government.     President  Wyman  presided  at  the  meeting. 

The  evening  reception  was  at  Horticultural  Hall.  A  large  and  distinguished  audience 
attended  it,  including  invited  guests  from  Uterary  and  scientific  societies,  members  of  the 
City  Government,  and  many  gentlemen  interested  in  the  cause  of  education  from  every 
part  of  the  country.  Interesting  mementos  of  Humboldt,  including  several  portraits  of 
him,  were  placed  upon  the  platform  and  about  the  hall.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Waterston  pre- 
sided, and  after  welcoming  the  delegates  from  the  different  societies  present  and  mak- 
ing some  appropriate  remarks,  introduced  successively  the  Rev.  Frederick  H.  Hedge,  Mr. 
Ralph  Waldo  Emerson  and  Prof  E.  J.  Young,  all  of  whom  made  interesting  addresses. 
Among  the  portraits  exhibited,  was  one  by  Mr.  Wight,  painted  at  Berlin  in  1852  from  life. 


128  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF   THE 

when  Humboldt  was  eighty-three  years  of  age.  It  had  been  loaned  to  the  committee  for 
the  occasion  by  the  artist.  The  chairman,  calling  attention  to  it,  stated  that  an  order  had 
been  given  to  tlie  artist  to  execute  an  exact  copy.  This  wovdd  Ijc  unveiled,  and  if  it  was 
found  in  every  respect  satisfactory,  he,  tlie  chairman,  would  take  great  pleasure  in  pre- 
senting it  on  this  centennial  anniversary  to  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History.  The 
covering  was  removed  and  the  resemblance  was  found  to  be  so  perfect  as  to  call  forth 
spontaneous  applause.  A  letter  from  the  artist  was  read  giving  an  account  of  his  personal 
observation  of  Humboldt  when  he  was  engaged  upon  his  portrait.  Accompanying  it  was 
an  autogi'aph  note  of  Humboldt,  which  was  also  presented  to  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural 
History  by  the  chairman.  In  Ijehalf  of  the  Society,  Dr.  Charles  T.  Jackson,  Vice-Presi- 
ident,  accepted  the  portrait  and  autograph  with  expression  of  thanks.  He  stated  that 
Humboldt  himself  had  declared  that  the  original  by  Wight  was  the  best  ever  painted  of 
him. 

Dr.  Jackson  then  gave  some  pleasant  reminiscences  of  Hural)oldt,  whom  he  had  often 
met  in  Paris  at  Cuvier's  lectures  in  1833.  He  also  made  some  interesting  remarks  upon 
his  works  and  character. 

The  chairman  then  called  upon  his  Honor  the  Mayor,  who,  in  responding  briefly,  said 
that  the  City  Government,  being  desirous  of  expressing  its  respect  for  the  memory  of  Alex- 
ander Von  Humljoldt,  had  passed  resolutions  and  had  made  a  generous  appropriation.  In 
behalf  of  Isoth  branches,  he  invited  all  present  to  partake  of  a  collation  prepared  for  them 
in  the  hall  below.  The  company  accepted  the  invitation  and  proceeded  to  the  place 
assigned,  where  they  enjoyed  an  excellent  supper,  during  which  at  intervals  the  Gei'- 
mania  Ijand  added  their  enlivening  music  to  the  entertainment. 

After  refreshment  at  the  tables,  a  poem  upon  Humljoldt,  prepared  for  the  occasion  by  Oli- 
ver Wendell  Holmes,  and  another  by  Mrs.  Julia  Ward  Howe,  were  read.  During  the  even- 
ing, several  communications  from  distinguished  persons  unable  to  be  present,  were  pre- 
sented, one  from  the  Hon.  Theo.  S.  Fay,  one  from  Prof  William  B.  Eogers,  one  from 
the  Rev.  Noah  Porter  and  one  from  John  G.  Whittier.  The  address  by  Agassiz,  with  a 
full  account  of  the  proceedings  at  the  evening  meeting,  may  be  found  in  pamphlet  form 
published  hy  the  Society. 

In  October,  Dr.  C.  F.  Folsom  resigned  his  position  as  Curator  of  Comparative  Anatomy 
and  Mammals. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Council,  held  Nov.  17th,  it  was  voted  tftat  the  net  proceeds  of 
the  celebration  of  the  Centennial  Anniversary  of  the  birth  of  Humboldt,  together  with 
the  money  received  from  the  sale  of  Prof  Agassiz's  address  previous  to  Jan.  1,  1870,  and 
the  money  subscribed  at  the  solicitation  of  the  Society's  Committee,  be  given  to  the 
Trustees  of  the  Museum  of  Comparative  Zoology  at  Harvard  College,  in  trust,  for  the 
establishment  of  an  endowment  under  the  title  of  the  "  Humboldt  Scholarship,"  the 
income  of  which  should  be  solely  applied,  under  the  direction  of  the  Faculty,  toward  the 
maintenance  of  one  or  more  young  and  needy  persons  engaged  in  study  at  said  Museum. 
The  reception  of  the  money,  amounting  to  $7,040.66,  was  gratefully  acknowledged  by 
the  Trustees  of  the  Museum  of  Comparative  Zoology,  under  the  conditions  expressed  in 
the  vote  of  the  Council. 


BOSTON  SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  129 

Mention  was  made  in  giving  an  account  of  the  proceedings  at  the  evening  reception  on 
the  day  of  the  Humbohit  celebration,  of  a  fine  portrait  presented  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Waters- 
ton  to  the  Society.     This  may  now  be  seen  in  the  Library  of  the  Museum. 

The  hearty  thanks  of  the  Society  were  passed  to  Mr.  Watersto  n  not  only  for  the  val 
uable  portrait  and  autograph,  but  for  the  unflagging  energy  with  which  he  had  labored 
for  the  success  of  the  Humboldt  celebration.  Testimony  was  borne  to  the  untiring  zeal 
manifested  by  him  in  obtaining  subscriptions  for  the  fund,  and  in  performing  a  large  part 
of  tlie  worlv  consequent  upon  the  celebration.  The  Society  also  expressed  its  obligations 
to  Prof  Agassiz  for  his  able  address,  a  copy  of  which  was  asked  for  publication.  Thanks 
were  also  voted  to  the  Orpheus  Musical  Association,  and  to  Mr.  Carl  Zerrahn,  for  their  wel- 
come aid  in  the  performances  of  the  occasion;  also  to  Mr.  J.  H.  Paine,  who  presided  at 
the  organ. 

1870.  On  January  19th,  Dr.  Thomas  Waterman  was  elected  Curator  of  Comparative 
Anatomy  and  Mammals. 

At  the  meeting  of  April  20th,  in  view  of  contemplated  changes  in  the  administration  of 
the  Society,  certain  alterations  were  made  in  the  Constitution  and  By-laws  to  go  into 
effect  on  and  after  the  annual  meeting.  The  most  important  of  these  arose  from  the  sub- 
stitution of  Committees  for  Curators  in  the  care  of  the  Museum. 

The  Constitution  was  made  to  express  that  the  officers  of  the  Society  shall  consist  of  a 
President,  two  Vice-Presidents,  a  Corresponding  Secretary,  a  Recording  Secretary,  a  Libra- 
rian, a  Custodian  and  a  Committee  of  three  on  each  department  of  the  Museum,  etc.,  etc. 

The  By-laws  were  so  altered  as  to  define  that  the  Committees  should  be  entrusted  with 
the  care  of  the  Museum ;  that  they  should  be  designated  for  particular  departments  at 
the  time  of  their  election,  and  consist  of  not  more  than  three  members,  one  of  whom 
should  be  named  by  the  nominating  committee  to  act  as  chairman.  The  duties  mentioned 
were  such  as  the  By-laws  previously  active  expressed  for  those  of  the  Curators. 

Annual  meeting.  The  Custodian's  report  gave  the  following  summary  of  the  doings  of 
the  Society  during  the  year  : 

There  had  been  eighteen  general  meetings,  the  average  attendance  at  which  had  been 
thirty-two  :  eight  of  the  section  of  Entomology,  with  an  average  attendance  of  eleven : 
and  seven  of  the  section  of  Microscopy,  with  an  average  attendance  of  nine.  Forty-seven 
scientific  communications  had  been  made  by  twenty-five  persons,  all  of  which  had  been 
printed  in  full  or  by  title  in  the  Proceedings. 

One  Honorary,  three  Corresponding  and  thirty-nine  Resident  Members  had  been  elected. 

Three  courses  of  evening  lectures  had  been  arranged  for  by  the  Council.  One  of  twelve, 
entitled  Sketches  of  Animal  Life,  by  Mr.  Edward  S.  Morse,  delivered  in  the  early  part  of 
the  season,  had  an  average  audience  of  seventy-six  persons  ;  the  second,  consisting  also  of 
twelve,  given  by  Mr.  William  T.  Brigham,  entitled  The  Earth  we  live  on,  had  an 
audience  averaging  ninet3'-eight  persons;  the  third,  not  concluded  at  the  time  of  the  annual 
meeting,  consisted  of  four,  entitled  Familiar  Talks  about  Insects,  given  by  Mr.  F.  G.  San- 
born.    The  average  attendance  at  these  was  about  sixty. 

Of  the  Publications  it  was  stated  that  from  economical  considerations  the  issue  of  a  large 
number  of  the  Memoirs  had  been  postponed.  Of  the  Proceedings  the  twelfth  volume  had 
been  printed,  and  a  part  of  the  thirteenth.    The  address  of  Prof.  Agassiz  at  the  recent  cole- 


130  HISTORICAL    SKETCH   OF   THE 

bration  of  tlie  Humboldt  Centenary,  with  an  account  of  the  evening's  festivities,  forming 
an  octavo  pamphlet  of  one  hundred  and  seven  pages,  had  been  also  published  and  dis- 
tributed. 

The  Custodian  expressed  strongly  the  feeling  that  a  further  postponement  of  activity 
in  this  direction  could  not  tail  to  be  disastrous.  Yet  there  had  been  sent  aln'oad  of 
parts  of  Memoirs  and  of  the  Journal,  of  copies  of  Harris'  Correspondence,  of  the  Pro- 
ceedings, what  was  equivalent  to  about  two  hundred  and  sixty-five  volumes  of  the  Pro- 
ceedings, and  over  200,000  octavo  pages.  Besides  all  this  the  Society  had  distributed  in 
behalf  of  the  Commonwealth,  three  hundred  copies  on  the  Report  of  the  Invertebrates  of 
Massachusetts,  recently  published  by  the  State. 

The  judicious  action  of  the  Legislature,  the  Custodian  remarked,  in  placing  its  scien- 
tific publications  where  they  will  be  of  the  greatest  permanent  benefit,  merits  the  com- 
mendation of  all  who,  like  ourselves,  are  aiming  at  the  widest  diftusion  of  knowledge. 

An  enumeration  of  the  books  in  the  Liln-ary  had  been  recently  made.  They  were 
counted  as  bound,  whether  containing  more  than  one  volume,  as  frequently  the  case,  or 
not ;  and  the  parts  had  been  estimated  at  their  proper  proportions  of  the  volumes  to 
which  they  belong,  and  the  pamphlets  counted  separately.  The  enumeration  therefore 
gave  the  number  as  proportionably  smaller  than  previous  estimates.  There  were  found 
to  be  9-396  volumes,  and  2677  pamphlets.  Of  these  volumes  ten  hundred  and  ten  were  of 
a  general  literary  character,  mostly  deposited  by  "A  Piepublican  Institution  ";  eight  hun- 
dred and  six  were  botanical  ;  four  hundred  and  fifty-three  entomological ;  four  hundred 
and  two  geological  and  mineralogical ;  five  hundred  and  ten  encyclopaedic ;  six  hundred 
and  thirteen  upon  vertebrates ;  five  hundred  and  thirty-six  upon  travels  and  local  fauna, 
and  forty-one  liundred  and  seventy-three  journals  and  publications  of  Societies. 

The  Custodian  announced  the  death  of  our  esteemed  coadjutor.  Col.  A.  J.  Grayson,  to 
whose  explorations  it  will  be  recollected  the  Society  contributed  in  connection  with  the 
Smithsonian  Institution.  It  had  been  the  strong  wish  of  both  jjarties  interested,  that  he 
should  visit  the  Sierra  Madre  of  North  Western  Mexico,  that  he  might  make  there  a  care- 
ful investigation  of  its  fauna.  He  arranged  to  be  there  in  June,  that  being  considered 
the  most  favoruljle  month  for  his  purposes.  Prior  to  that  period  he  visited  the  Island  of 
Isabella  off  the  coast  to  study  the  habits  of  sea  fowl  during  their  breeding  season,  and 
there  he  contracted  a  malarious  disease  that  led  to  his  death  in  August. 

The  amount  contributed  by  the  tSociety  being  unexpended,  was  returned  by  his  wife  to 
the  Smithsonian  Institution.  By  advice  of  Prof.  Henry,  this  was  transferred  by  vote  of 
the  Council  to  Prof  Sumichrast,  to  be  used  in  the  explorations  undertaken  Ijy  him  on  the 
Isthmus  of  Tehuantepec. 

An  arrangement  had  been  made  by  the  Custodian  with  the  Secretary  of  the  Smith- 
sonian Institution,  by  which  a  large  number  of  unassorted  sjiechnens  of  various  character 
were  sent  to  the  Society  with  the  \uiderstanding  that  they  should  be  returned  in  orderly 
condition,  compensation  for  the  labor  being  made  by  a  selection  from  the  duplicates  for 
the  Cabinet. 

The  number  of  visitors  to  the  Museuui  diu-ing  the  year  exceeded  forty  thousand.  It 
was  open  to  the  public  one  huudred  and  four  days.  The  largest  number  present  on  any 
one  day  was  seven  hundred  and  eiglity-one. 


BOSTON   SOCIETY   OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  131 

The  Cnstodian  reported  the  collections  of  the  different  departments  of  the  Society  to  be 
in  good  condition.  That  of  Mammals  and  Comparative  Anatomy  had  received  a  stuffed 
specimen  of  the  great  Antarctic  seal  collected  in  the  exploring  expedition  of  Commodore 
Wilkes.  A  living  opossum  and  its  young  had  also  been  received  from  Dr.  C.  Kollock  of 
South  Carolina,  and  had  been  mounted  in  characteristic  attitudes.  Other  interesting 
specimens  had  been  received  from  the  Union  Street  menagerie. 

In  the  Ornithological  department,  the  mounted  birds  had  had  special  attention,  every 
specimen  having  been  taken  down,  thoroughly  examined,  and  where  necessary  treated 
with  benzine  and  other  materials.  The  cases  had  all  been  made  as  nearly  air  tight  as  pos- 
sible and  in  fict  every  possible  measure  adopted  to  prevent  the  further  ravages  of  insects. 
To  accomplish  this,  four  or  five  persons  had  worked  continnously  for  two  months.  Dona- 
tions had  been  received  from  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  F.  E.  Everett,  S.  Mixter, 
H.  A.  Purdie  and  others. 

Quite  extensive  additions  had  been  made  to  the  collection  of  nests  and  eggs,  mostly 
in  exchange.  To  Mr.  B.  P.  Mann  and  Mr.  S.  Mixter,  the  department  had  been  indebted 
for  the  presentation  of  many  specimens. 

The  Entomological  collections  were  reported  in  better  condition  than  at  any  time  within 
ten  years.  Mrs.  Stratton,  Mr.  H.  Edwards  and  others,  had  presented  many  specimens,  and 
there  had  been  a  valuable  accession  from  Tehuantepec  collected  by  Professor  Sumichrast. 

There  had  l^een  considerable  work  done  upon  the  Reptiles,  and  one  hundred  and  fifteen 
specimens  had  been  added  to  the  collection.  A  marked  deficiency  of  native  species  was 
mentioned,  particularly  of  turtles. 

The  Fishes,  numbering  three  thousand  eight  hundred  and  ninety-six  specimens,  were 
reported  in  good  order  and  mostly  identified. 

Some  work  had  been  done  by  Mr.  S.  I.  Smith  upon  the  Crustacea,  and  the  whole  collec- 
tion placed  in  satisfactory  condition. 

The  Curator  of  Mollusks  reported  much  progress  in  mounting  the  gasteropods  of  the 
Pratt  collection,  and  mentioned  that  a  valuable  series  of  British  shells  had  been  received 
from  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  and  many  specimens  from  Mr.  H.  Edwards  and  othei-s. 

The  collection  of  Radiates  had  been  greatly  improved,  and  a  large  portion  of  the  corals 
and  sponges  mounted  in  an  erect  position  upon  black  tablets. 

The  Botanical  department  had  received  an  important  addition  in  the  herbarium  of  Hon. 
John  Amory  Lowell,  containing  many  thousand  species  carefully  labelled,  mounted  aud 
catalogued. 

By  the  subscription  of  some  gentlemen,  a  ring  of  the  bark  of  a  Redwood  tree  of  Califor- 
nia had  been  purchased,  measuring  forty  feet  in  circumference.  This  had  been  mounted 
under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Brigham,  the  acting  Curator,  and  now  forms  a  conspicuous 
object  in  the  entrance  hall  of  the  Museum. 

The  arduous  task  of  rearranging  and  labelling  the  entire  Mineralogical  collection  had 
been  completed  by  the  Curator,  and  the  whole  was  now  in  perfect  order.  The  number  of 
specimens  was  about  2800. 

Mr.  S.  H.  Scudder,  the  Custodian,  in  presenting  the  annual  report,  took  occasion,  as 
this  was  to  be  the  final  one  by  him,  to  review  somewhat  at  length  the  experience  of  the 
Society  in  the  past,  and  to  suggest  considerations  in  relation  to  its  future  policy.  He  said 
that  "  while  some  collections  need  a  good  deal  of  revision  and  many  are  not  yet  entirely 


132  HISTORICAL   SKETCH   OF   THE 

supplied  with  the  xmiform  system  of  labelling  lately  adopted,  the  Museum  is  in  much 
better  order  and  in  a  much  safer  condition  than  it  has  been  at  any  time  since  our  removal 
to  this  building.  The  Library  has  increased,  and  the  lectures  have  proved  a  success,  but 
in  our  publications  and  in  the  interest  of  our  meetings,  we  have  sadly  fallen  off." 

The  Custodian  further  remarked  upon  the  great  importance  of  the  publications  of  the 
Society  as  a  means  through  which  the  researches  of  the  members  might  be  promptly 
made  known,  and  the  fame  which  it  has  fairly  won  at  home  and  abroad  be  sustained. 

In  relation  to  the  Museum,  after  mentioning  its  large  collections,  he  expressed  the  view 
that,  with  some  exceptions,  they  embi-aced  sufficient  for  all  the  purposes  of  the  Society. 
That  its  principal  aim  shoiild  not  be  to  sustain  a  great  museum  or  an  industrial  one,  but 
rather  seek  to  maintain  first,  a  popular  educational  one,  in  which  all  and  none  but  the 
characteristic  forms  of  life  and  inorganic  nature  should  be  displayed,  and  second,  a  com- 
plete local  collection,  restricted  at  widest  to  our  New  England  flora  and  fauna.  To  effect 
this,  it  was  important  that  more  skilled  labor  should  be  regularly  employed,  and  a  man  of 
broad  scientific  culture  placed  at  the  head  of  the  Museum,  with  its  interests  alone  in 
charge. 

The  Custodian  then  spoke  of  his  endeavors  to  faithfully  perform  the  duties  of  his  office, 
and  expressed  warmly  his  appreciation  of  the  devotedness  of  those  who  had  Ijeen  engaged 
to  assist  him  in  the  various  departments  of  the  Society's  opei'ations. 

Upon  motion  of  Mr.  F.  W.  Putnam,  who  thought  something  more  was  due  the  retiring 
Custodian  than  a  simple  vote  of  thanks  for  his  services,  it  was  unanimously  voted  that  the 
rules  be  suspended  and  Mr.  Scudder  be  made  a  Life  Member  of  the  Society. 

The  Treasurer's  report  showed,  including  all  sources  of  income  available  for  general  pur- 
poses, a  balance  of  receij^ts  over  expenditures,  of  $160.49. 

The  Prize  Committee  reported  through  Dr.  J.  B.  S.  Jackson,  that  only  one  essay  had 
been  offered  in  competition  for  this  year's  prize,  and  this  was  not  deemed  worthy  of  it. 
They  announced  for  the  subject  of  the  prize  for  1872,  "The  Darwinian  question  ;  its  bear- 
ings on  the  development  of  animal  life." 

Letters  from  the  President,  Dr.  Jeffries  Wyman,  at  this  time  in  Europe,  positively  declin- 
ing to  be  a  candidate  for  the  office  so  long  held  by  him,  had  been  received.  The  Nomina- 
ting Committee  however,  thinking  that  he  might  lie  induced  again  to  accept  the  position, 
asked  further  time  for  consideration  before  any  action  was  taken  in  electing  a  President. 
They  also  asked  further  tune  before  presenting  names  for  the  Committees  on  the  depart- 
ments of  Mammals  and  Comparative  Anatomy,  as  the  Council  had,  but  a  few  hours  before 
the  meeting,  divided  the  department  of  Comparative  Anatomy,  which  before  embraced 
Mammals,  into  two  departments.  They  lilicwise  asked  further  time  before  nominating  the 
Committee  for  the  department  of  Microscopy. 

The  list  of  officers  proposed  by  them  was  then  presented,  the  Rev.  Joshua  A.  Swan 
being  named  as  the  successor  to  Mr.  S.  H.  Scudder,  for  the  positions  of  Custodian,  Librarian 
and  Recording  Secretary.  A  strong  objection  was  made  to  the  nominee  for  the  former 
office,  many  present  fiTvoring  the  election  of  Mr.  Alpheus  Hyatt.  A  prolonged  and  very 
earnest  discussion  followed,  the  whole  policy  of  the  Society  and  the  comparative  merits  of 
the  two  persons  mentioned  for  the  position  being  ably  presented.  Those  who  participated 
in  the  discussion  were  N.  S.   Shaler,  J.   R.  S.   Jackson,  J.   C.  White,  E.  S.  Morse,  R.  C. 


BOSTON  SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  133 

Greenleaf.  F.  W.  Putman,  W.  H.  Niles,  T.  M.  Brewer,  W.  T.  Brigham,  J.  D.  Runkle  and 
Thomas  T.  Bouve.  Upon  balloting,  it  was  found  that  Mr.  Alpheus  Hyatt  was  elected 
Custodian  and  Mr.  Swan,  Librarian  and  Recording  Secretary,  the  majority  of  the  members 
thus  electing  two  officers  to  fill  the  three  positions,  instead  of  one  as  hitherto.  One  objec- 
tion to  this  was  the  largely  increased  expense  thereby  incurred,  but  the  result  was  gener- 
ally satisfactory. 

The  Committees  chosen  for  the  several  departments  were  as  follows : 


On  Birds. 
Tlioinas  M.  Brewer,  M.  D., 
Samuel  Cabot,  JNI.  D., 
J.  A.  Allen. 

On  Fishes  and  Reptiles. 
D.  Humphreys  Storer,  M.  D., 
F.  W.  Putnam, 
N.  E.  At  wood. 

Qti  Insects. 
F.  G.  Sauborn, 
A.  S.  Packard,  .Jr.,  M.  D., 
Edward  Burgess. 

On   Crustacean  and  Radiates. 
A.  S.  Packard,  Jr.,  M.  D., 
A.  E.  Verrill, 
Alexander  Asrassiz. 


On  Molliishs. 
Edward  S.  Morse, 
John  Ciunmingg, 
Levi  L.  Thaxter. 

On  Palaeontology. 
W.  II.  Niles, 
N.  S.  Shaler, 
Thomas  T.  Bouve. 

On  Botany. 
William  T.  Brigham, 
Charles  J.  Sjirague, 
J.  Amory  Lowell. 

On  Minerals  and  Geology. 
Thomas  T.  Bouve, 
Cliarles  T.  Jackson,  M.  D., 
William  T.  Bri<duun. 


The  election  of  Committees  for  the  departments  of  Comparative  Anatomy,  Mammals  and 
Microscopy  was  postponed  to  allow  time  for  further  consideration. 


The  fourth  decade  of  the  existence  of  the  Society  was  now  completed.  Tt  had  been  a 
period  of  gr-eat  events  in  its  history.  Its  commencement  found  the  country  involved  in  a 
war  which,  by  rapidly  wasting  its  resources,  threatened  alike  its  material  prosperity  and 
its  progress  in  art,  science  and  literature.  There  was  sadness  in  the  hearts  of  men  and  an 
undefined  dread  of  evil  pervading  their  minds,  tending  to  concentrate  all  thought  upon  the 
movements  of  armies  and  the  tidings  of  conflict.  Thank  God,  too,  there  was  an  unfalter- 
ing faith  in  the  final  success  of  the  struggle  for  the  nation's  integrity,  which  kept  alive 
hope  and  encouraged  exertion  for  the  advancement  of  all  movements  promising  future 
good  to  the  communit}'.  Thus  was  it  that  in  the  midst  of  a  dreadful  civil  war  the  Society 
was  enabled,  through  the  untiring  devotion  of  its  own  members  and  by  the  exertions,  the 
contributions  and  Ijequests  of  many  friends,  to  erect  the  fine  structure  that  now  adorns  the 
city,  and  to  place  therein  the  great  collections  of  natural  history  that  now  minister  to 
the  delight  and  the  instruction  of  multitudes. 

In  referring  to  the  period  of  the  civil  wai",  it  may  not  be  amiss  to  state  that  besides  the 
members  of  the  Society  mentioned  as  having  resigned  their  official  positions  in  it  to  enter 
the  service  of  their  country,  there  were  several  others  who  took  an  active  part  m  the  con- 
flict.    Among  them  was  one  whose  great   interest  in  the  welfare  of  our  institution  for 


134  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 

many  years  as  sliown  by  his  exertions  in  its  behalf  when  in  distant  regions,  entitles  him  to 
resijectful  notice  in  these  pages.  Th:it  he  died  by  the  hands  of  the  enemy  makes  it  all  the 
more  a  duty  to  render  a  tribute  to  his  memory. 

Joseph  P.  Couthouy  Avas  born  in  Boston,  January  6,  1808.  He  was  educated  at  one  of 
the  schools  in  the  town,  and  when  yet  a  lad,  made  a  voyage  in  his  father's  ship.  His 
tastes  leading  him  to  prefer  a  sea  life,  he  applied  himself  to  the  calling  he  had  chosen,  and 
became,  when  old  enough,  the  captain  of  a  vessel. 

He  early  developed  a  love  for  science,  and  had  progressed  in  his  studies  to  such  an 
extent  that  when  the  American  Ex23loring  Expedition  was  organized  imder  command  of 
Lieutenant  Wilkes,  he  was  appointed  one  of  the  scientific  corps  to  accompany  it,  his  spe- 
cialty being  that  of  Conchology.  The  expedition  sailed  from  Hampton  Roads,  Aug.  18th, 
1838,  and,  although  the  state  of  his  health  obliged  him  eveutually  to  abandon  his  share 
of  the  enterprise  at  the  Samoan  Islands,  yet  he  had  already  made  veiy  valualtle  collec- 
tions of  shells  and  illustrated  his  numerous  notes  and  descrijjtions  concerning  the  many 
species  obtained,  with  draAvings  and  colorings  which  AYOuld  have  been  of  invaluable  assist- 
ance to  Dr.  A.  A.  Gould,  who  subsequently  published  the  elaborate  report  on  the  shells 
secured  by  the  expedition,  had  not  these  papers  been  in  some  unexplained  Avay  lost  or 
destroyed  when  the  cases  containing  the  specimens  were  nnjiacked  after  arrival. 

Captain  Couthouy  afterwards  went  to  South  America  and  the  islands  of  the  Pacific 
Ocean,  making  numberless  valuable  observations  on  the  natural  history  of  the  countries 
which  he  visited. 

In  the  year  1854,  he  was  engaged  to  take  command  of  an  expedition  to  the  Bay  of 
Cumana,  for  the  purpose  of  exploring  for  the  wreck  of  the  Spanish  man-of-war  San  Pedro, 
lost  there  nearly  half  a  century  previously,  which  was  supposed  to  have  had  a  great  amount 
of  treasure  on  board.  After  three  years  spent  in  an  unsuccessful  search  for  this,  the  vessel 
returned  to  the  United  States,  and  was  lost  in  a  violent  snow  storm  on  Cape  Cod,  the  crew 
being  saved 'with  the  greatest  difficulty. 

When  the  war  of  the  rebellion  broke  out,  Captain  Couthouy  offered  his  services  to  the 
government.  They  were  at  once  accepted,  and  he  was  placed  in  command  of  the  U.  S. 
barque  -'Kingfisher,"  in  Avhich  he  w^as  actively  engaged  against  the  enemy.  Being  trans- 
ferred to  the  command  of  the  U.  S.  steamer  "  Columbia,"  he  joined  the  blockading 
squadron  of  the  South  Atlantic,  and  upon  his  vessel  being  wrecked  in  a  storm  at  Mason- 
boro  Inlet,  he  was  captured  aud  sent  as  a  prisoner  of  war  to  Salisbury,  where  he  remained 
three  months.  After  being  exchanged  he  was  placed  in  command  of  the  monitor  "'Osage" 
of  the  Mississippi  river  squadron  under  Admiral  Porter,  and  subsequently,  being  transferred 
to  the  "  Chillicothe  "  of  the  same  squadron,  Avas  ordered  up  the  Red  River.  In  this  expe- 
dition he  met  his  death.  On  the  3d  of  April  his  ship  Avas  engaged  Avith  a  large  body  of 
rebel  troops  on  the  shore.  Captain  Couthouy  Avas  on  deck  directing  tlie  fire  of  his  guns, 
when  a  rebel  sharp-shooter  on  the  bank  fired  at  and  mortally  wounded  him.  He  died  the 
next  day,  universally  regretted  by  officers  and  men,  and  Ijy  no  one  more  than  the 
Admiral,  Avho,  in  a  letter  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  bore  witness  to  his  zealous,  patri- 
otic and  estimable  character. 

Captain  Couthouy  was  a  man  of  rare  and  varied  ability.  He  AA^as  a  fine  linguist,  and 
spoke  Avith  great  elegance  the  Spanish,  French,   Italian  and  Portuguese  languages.     An 


BOSTON   SOCIETY   OF  NATURAL   HISTORY.  135 

interesting  example  of  the  beauty  of  his  pronimciation  of  the  Spanish  was  given  the 
writer  by  one  of  Ins  intimate  friends.  Being  in  Spain  at  tlie  time  of  the  CarUst  wars,  he 
was  repeatedly  under  suspicion  on  the  part  of  the  officers  of  the  government,  who  could 
not  believe  him  to  be  a  foreigner,  the  purity  of  his  accent  and  thorough  knowledge  of  the 
language  leading  them  to  think  that  he  must  necessarily  be  a  native  Spaniard.  He  had 
also  in  the  course  of  his  travels  mastered  more  than  one  of  the  unwritten  languages  of  the 
South  Pacific  Islands. 

He  was  descriljed  by  inthnate  friends  and  associates  as  being  a  man  of  the  utmost  fasci- 
nation of  manner,  and  one  whose  wide  and  varied  information  made  him  one  of  the  most 
interesting  of  companions. 

Elected  a  member  of  the  Society  on  the  6th  of  April,  1836,  he  was  often  before  it  while 
at  home,  at  the  meetings,  with  commvmications  or  remarks  relating  to  facts  of  scientific 
interest  which  had  come  to  his  knowledge  during  his  wide-spread  investigations  abroad. 
He  also,  from  time  to  time,  presented  many  specimens  to  the  Society. 

His  memory  should  be  held  in  tender  regard  by  the  Society,  for  while,  in  former  years, 
an  active  and  valued  associate,  his  death  in  battle  in  the  service  of  his  country  added 
another  to  the  list  of  those  who  have  passed  away,  leaving,  through  faithful  work  in  the 
cause  of  science,  a  lasting  lustre  on  its  roll  of  membership. 

Captain  Couthouy  married  Miss  Mary  G.  Wild  of  Boston.  His  wife  died  in  1857,  and  at 
the  time  of  his  death,  in  1864,  he  had  three  daughters  living.  His  only  son  had  died 
previously. 

It  having  been  necessary  in  quite  a  number  of  instances  during  the  first  half  of  this 
decade  to  record  the  fact  of  several  of  the  officers  having  resigned  or  temporarily  vacated 
their  positions  in  order  to  engage  in  the  military  or  naval  service  during  the  war  for  the 
suppression  of  the  rebellion,  it  is  fitting  that  the  part  which  was  taken  in  the  great  conflict 
by  members  of  the  Society  should  be  recognized  ;  and  the  following  roll  gives  the  names 
and  branch  of  the .  service  to  which  they  belonged,  of  such  as  are,  or  have  been,  borne 
upon  its  list  of  membership. 

Dr.  Samuel  Kneeland,  Surgeon  45th  Mass.  Infantry,  Brevet  Lieut.  Colonel. 

Dr.  Henry  Bryant,  Surgeon  20th  Mass.  Infantry,  Brigade  Surgeon  U.  S.  Vols. 

Dr.  Samuel  A.  Green,  Asst.  Surgeon  1st  Mass.  Infantry,  Surgeon  24th  Mass.  Infantry. 

Dr.  Burt  G.  Wilder,  Asst.  Surgeon  55th  Mass.  Infantry. 

Dr.  B.  Joy  Jeffries,  Sergeant  1st  Corps  Cadets  M.V.M.,  Acting  Assistant  Surgeon  U.S.A. 

Dr.  Francis  H.  Brown,  Acting  Assistant  Surgeon  U.  S.  Army,  Private  12th  unattached  company  Mass. 
Infantry. 

Theodore  Lyman,  Colonel  U.  S.  Vols.,  aide-de-camp  to  Major  General  Meade. 

Albert  Ordway,  Lieut.  Colonel  24th  Mass.  Infantry.  Brevet  Brigadier  General. 

Amos  Binney,  Mnjor  and  Paymaster  U.  S.  Vols. 

Dr.  John  Stearns,  Surgeon  4th  Mass.  Heavy  Artillery. 

Dr.  Lucius  M.  Sargent,  Jr.,  Surgeon  2d  Mass.  Infantry,  afterwards  Major  1st  Mass.  Cavalry.  Killed  in 
battle. 

Dr.  ILiU  Curtis,  Asst.  Surgeon  24th  Mass.  Infantry,  Surgeon  2d  Mass.  Heavy  Artillery. 

Dr.  Robert  T.  Edes,  Passed  Assistant  Surgeon  U.  S.  Navy. 

Dr.  Z.  Boylston  Adams,  Asst.  Surgeon  7th  Mass.  Infantry,  Surgeon  32d  Mass.  Infantry,  afterwards 
Major  56tli  Mass.  Infantry. 

Dr.  A.  S.  Packard,  Jr.,  Asst.  Surgeon  1st  Maine  Veteran  Volunteer  Infantry. 


136  HISTORICAL   SKETCH   OF  THE 

Dr.  Calvin  G.  Page,  Surgeon  39tli  Mass.  Infantry. 

Dr.  Franklin  Niekerson,  Acting  Assistant  Surgeon  U.  S.  Navy. 

Dr.  F.  P.  Sprague,  Acting  Assistant  Surgeon  U.  S.  Army. 

Dr.  Algernon  Coolidge,  Acting  Assistant  Surgeon  LT.  S.  Army. 

Dr.  Edward  Wigglesworth,  Jr.,  Hospital  Steward  45th  Mass.  Infantry,  Volunteer  Surgeon. 

Dr.  J.  Collins  Warren,  Volunteer  Surgeon  U.  S.  Army. 

Dr.  Francis  C.  Ropes,  Assistant  Surgeon  U.  S.  Army. 

Dr.  H.  M.  Saville,  Surgeon  4tli  Mass.  Infantry. 

Dr.  George  Derl)y,  Surgeon  23d  Blass.  Infantry,  Brevet  Lieut.  Colonel. 

Dr.  II.  P.  Bowditch,  Major  54lh  Mass.  Infantry,  Captain  1st  Mass.  Cavalry,  Major  5th  Mass.  Cavalry. 

Dr.  Jolm  McLean  Hayward,  Surgeon  12th  Mass.  Infantry. 

Dr.  C.  F.  Crehore,  Asst.  Surgeon  15th  Mass.  Infantry,  Surgeon  37th  Mass.  Infantry,  Medical  Inspector  on 
staff  of  Major  General  Sedgwick. 

Dr.  Oliver  F.  Wadsworth,  Asst.  Surgeon  5th  Mass.  Cavalry,  Brevet  Captain  U.  S.  Vols. 

Dr.  Allston  G.  Bouve,  Private  Gth  Mass.  Infantry. 

Dr.  John  Homans,  Assistant  Surgeon  U.  S.  Navy,  Asst.  Surgeon  U.  S.  Army. 

Dr.  William  Ingalls,  Surgeon  5th  and  59th  regiments  Mass.  Infantry. 

Dr.  William  Henry  Thayer,  Surgeon  14th  New  Hampshire  Infantry. 

Dr.  John  C.  Dalton,  Asst.  Surgeon  7th  New  York  V.  M.,  Surgeon  U.  S.  Vols. 

Dr.  S.  W.  Langmaid,  Acting  Asst.  Surgeon  U.  S.  Army. 

Dr.  Charles  W.  Swan,  Acting  Asst.  Surgeon  TJ.  S.  Army. 

Dr.  Samuel  G.  Webber,  Asst.  Surgeon  U.  S.  Navy. 

Dr.  Charles  B.  Porter,  Acting  Asst.  Surgeon  U.  S.  Army. 

Dr.  Frederick  S.  Ainsworth,  Surgeon  22d  Mass.  Infantry. 

Dr.  Thomas  B.  Hitchcock,  Asst.  Surgeon  42d  Mass.  Infantry. 

Dr.  George  J.  Arnold,  Acting  Asst.  Surgeon  U.  S.  Army. 

Dr.  Chai'les  E.  Hostuer,  Private,  Steward  U.  S.  Navy,  Acting  Asst.  Surgeon  U.  S.  Navy. 

Dr.  John  G.  Park,  Acting  Asst.  Surgeon  U.  S.  Navy. 

Dr.  Charles  Thaeher  Hubbard,  Asst.  Surgeon  U.  S.  Navy. 

Dr.  .lames  E.  Walker,  Acting  Asst.  Surgeon  U.  S.  Army. 

Dr.  Henry  G.  Clark,  Inspector-in-chief  of  the  Sanitary  Commission. 

Dr.  J.  Nelson  Borland,  Inspector  of  Hospitals  for  the  Sanitary  Commission. 

Dr.  Samuel  L.  Al)ljot,  " 

Dr.  Henry  I.  Bowditch,  "  "  Surgeon  to  the  Board  of  Enrolment  in 

Boston  during  the  war,  and  Volunteer  Surgeon  in  tlie  Army. 

Dr.  Samuel  Cabot,  Jr.,  Inspector  of  Hospitals  for  the  Sanitary  Commission  and  Volunteer  Surgeon. 

Dr.  William  Edward  Coale,  "  « 

Dr.  Calvin  Ellis,  "  "  and  Volunteer  Surgeon. 

Dr.  yVugustus  A.  Gould,  "  « 

Dr.  J.  B.  S.  Jackson,  "  " 

Dr.  Francis  Minot,  "  " 

Dr.  Benjamin  S.  Shaw,  "  " 

Dr.  Charles  E.  Ware,  •'  " 

Dr.  Henry  W.  Williams,  "  « 

Dr.  W.  W.  Morland,  «  " 

Dr.  Winslow  Lewis,  "  " 

Dr.  Henry  K.  Oliver,  «  « 

Dr.  D.  D.  Sladc,  u  u 

Rev.  Warren  II.  Cudworth,  Chaplain  1st  Mass.  Infantry. 

T.   Went  worth  Higginson,  Captain  51st  Mass.  Infantry,  Colonel  33d  U.  S.   Colored  Troops  (1st  South 
Carolina  Infantry). 

Francis  A.  Osborn,  Colonel  24th  Mass.  Infantry,  Brevet  Brigadier  General  IT.  S.  Vols. 

Joseph  P.  Couihouy,  Acting  Volunteer  Lieutenant  U.S.  Navy.     Killed  in  battle. 

Aljilieus  Hyatt,  Jr.,  (':i]>lain  47lh  IMass.  Infantry. 


BOSTON   SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  137 

T.  W.  Clark,  Colonel  29tli  Mass.  Infantry. 
Edward  C.  Cabot,  Lieut.  Colonel  44th  Mass.  Infantry. 
Hiram  S.  Shurtleff,  Captain  56tli  Mass.  Infantry. 
Nathaniel  S.  Shaler,  Captain  5th  Kentucky  Artillery. 

Nathaniel  Bowditch,  1st  Lieut.  1st  Mass.  Cavalry,  A.A.G.  U.  S.  Vols.     KiUed  in  battle. 
Charles  W.  Folsom,  1st  Lieut,  and  Q.M.  20th  Mass.  Infantry. 
Huntington  F.  Wolcott,  2d  Lieut.  2d  Mass.  Cavalry.     Died  in  the  service. 

Edward  T.  Bouve,  1st  Lieut.  32d  Mass.  Infantry,  Captain  4th  Mass.  Cavalry,  Major  26th  N.  Y.  Cavalry. 
Josepli  H.  Lathrop,  Sergeant  43d  Mass.  Infantry,  1st  Lieut,  and  Adjutant  4th  Mass.  Cavalry. 
John  E.  Alden,  2d  Lieut.  1st  unattached  company  Mass.  Infantry. 

Nathan  Appleton,  1st  Lieut.  5th  Battery  Mass.  Light  Artillery,  Capt.  and  A.D.C.  U.  S.  Vols. 
Louis  Cabot,  2d  Lieut.  1st  Mass.  Cavalry,  Capt.  2d  Mass.  Cavalry,  Major  4th  Mass.  Cavalry. 
Fletcher  M.  Abbott,  1st  Lieut.  2d  Mass.  Infantry. 
John  Ritchie,  1st  Lieut,  and  Q.M.  54th  Mass.  Infantry. 

William  E.  Endicott,  2d  Lieut.  30th  unattached  company  Mass.  Heavy  Artillery. 
Lorin  L.  Dame,  1st  Lieut.  15th  Battery  Mass.  Light  Artillery. 
Albert  S.  Bickmore,  Private  44th  Mass.  Infantry. 
A.  P.  Cragin,  Private  in  a  Mass.  Cavalry  regiment.     Killed  in  battle. 
John  Jeffries,  Jr.,  Mnjor  1st  Corps  Cadets  Mass.  Volunteer  Militia. 

George  Brooks,  Private  45th  Mass.  Volunteers.     Died  in  the  service  at  Newbern,  N.  C. 
Robert  M.  Copeland,  1st  Lieut,  and  Q.M.  2d  Mass.  Infantry,  Major  and  A.A.G.  U.  S.  Vols. 
Alfred  P.  Rockwell,  Captain  1st  Battery  Conn.   Light  Artillery,  Colonel    6th   Conn.  Infantry,  Brevet 
Brigadier  General  U.  S.  Vols. 

Stephen  M.  Weld,  Captain  18th  Mass.  Infantry,  Colonel  56th  Mass.  Infantry,  Brevet  Brigadier  General. 

E.  R.  Cogswell,  Corporal  44th  Mass.  Infantry. 

Jonathan  Don-,  Private  44th  Mass.  Infantry. 

Nathaniel  Willis  Bumstead,  Captain  45th  Mass.  Infantry. 

Carleton  A.  Shurtleff,  Medical  Cadet  U.  S.  Army. 

Joseph  T.  Rothrock,  Private  12th  unattached  company  Mass.  Infantry,  Captain  Pennsylvania  Cavalry. 

Copley  Amory,  1st  Lieutenant  4th  U.  S.  Cavalry. 

Rev.  George  H.  Ilepworth,  Chaplain  47th  Mass.  Infantry. 

William  Ellery  Copeland,  Private  44th  Mass.  Infantry. 

Lewis  W.  Tappan,  Jr.,  Captain  45th  Mass.  Infantry. 

The  writer  can  scarcely  hope,  notwithstanding  great  care  taken,  that  no  errors  will  be 
found  in  this  roll  of  honor.  He  would  especially  regret  the  omission  of  the  name  of  a 
single  member  of  the  Society,  who  manfully  went  forward  to  serve  the  nation  in  its  hour 
of  peril. 

Early  in  the  decade  now  passed  was  received  the  bequest  of  Mr.  Jonathan  PhUlips  of 
$10,000.  This  was  followed  by  the  grant  of  land  from  the  State  on  which  the  Museum 
was  afterwards  erected.  Then  came  the  first  of  the  series  of  donations  from  our  great 
benefactor,  Dr.  William  J.  Walker,  of  his  house  in  Bulfinch  Street,  followed  by  the  second 
and  third  of  $20,000  each,  and  finally  by  the  great  bequest  from  him  which  established 
the  institution  on  such  a  firm  foundation  as  to  secure  its  perpetuity  so  long  as  wisdom 
shall  prevail  in  its  councils. 

The  Society  had  also  been  the  recipient  during  the  decade  of  the  bequests  before  men- 
tioned, from  Paschal  P.  Pope,  $20,000;  Miss  Sarah  P.  Pratt,  $10,000,  with  a  large  collec- 
tion of  shells;  Dr.  Benjamin  D.  Greene,  $9,000,  with  a  large  library  of  valuable  books; 
and  Mr.  Henry  Harris,  $5,000.     It  had  likewise   received  for  the  establishment  of  a  fund 


138  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 

for  the  Library,  $5,000  in  the  name  of  Huntington  Frolhinghjim  Wolcott,  who  died  in  the 
military  service  of  the  country  in  the  war  of  the  rebeUion. 

Of  the  donations  made  towards  building  and  other  purposes  in  the  early  part  of  the 
decade,  Mr.  Nathaniel  Thayer  contributed  |2,500,  Mr.  Thomas  Lee  $1,000,  Mr.  John  L. 
Gardner  $1,000,  Dr.  Benjamin  D.  Greene  $1,000,  Mr.  Henry  B.  Rogers  $1,000,  and  an 
anonymous  friend  $1,000.  A  considerable  amount  of  the  money  subscribed  towards  the 
building  and  working  funds  was  from  donors  of  sums  varying  from  $500  to  $100  and  less. 
Besides  money,  the  Society  received  during  the  decade  the  magnificent  donation  of  the 
Lafresnaye  collection  of  birds  from  Dr.  Henry  Bryant. 

There  was  a  very  valuable  donation  made  to  the  Society  by  Mr.  James  M.  Barnard  in 
1864,  notice  of  which  has  not  been  given.  This  consisted  of  a  large  collection  of  fossil 
echinoderms  made  by  Dr.  A.  Krantz  of  Bonn,  and  Avas  second  in  the  country  only  to  that 
in  the  Museum  of  Comparative  Zoolo  gy  in  Cambridge,  presenting  as  it  did  good  types  of 
nearly  every  group  of  the  class. 

Mr.  H.  F.  Wolcott  mentioned  above  was  a  young  member  of  the  Society  whose  great 
interest  in  it  led  to  the  endowment  after  his  death  of  the  fund  referred  to  in  his  name  by 
his  father,  Mr.  J.  Huntington  Wolcott,  as  a  memento  of  that  interest,  and  as  a  recognition 
of  what  would  have  been  pleasing  to  him  if  living.  The  fund  is  known  as  the  Himtington 
Frothingham  Wolcott  Fund,  and  now  amounts  to  over  $6,000,  the  interest  at  first  having 
been  allowed  to  accumulate  and  having  been  added  to  the  capital.  It  is  held  is  trust,  the 
income  alone  being  available  for  the  purchase  of  books  for  the  Library.  The  service  of 
this  fund  to  the  Society  has  been  very  great,  as  without  it,  there  would  not  have  been 
means  to  supply  works  actually  indispensable  for  the  use  of  the  members.  Mr.  Wolcott 
was  born  in  Boston,  February  4th,  1846,  and  died  June  9th,  1865. 

In  mentioning  the  beqviests  of  Mr.  Jonathan  Phillips  made  during  the  decade,  no  such 
notice  was  given  of  this  benefactor  of  the  Society  as  seems  fitting  should  appear  concern- 
ing him.     A  few  brief  remarks  are  therefore  added  here. 

Hon.  Jonathan  Phillips  was  born  in  Boston,  April  24th,  1778.  He  was  the  son  of 
Lieutenant  Governor  William  Phillips  and  was  educated  for  mercantile  life,  but  never 
engaged  in  much  active  business.  Upon  the  death  of  his  father  in  1827  he  became  the 
possessor  of  a  very  large  fortune,  and  the  remainder  of  his  life  was  mostly  passed  in  liter- 
ary culture,  travel,  and  in  taking  an  active  share  in  many  of  the  benevolent  and  educa- 
tional movements  of  his  day,  all  of  which  he  generously  aided.  He  was  at  one  period  a 
member  of  the  Senate  of  Massachusetts,  but  his  tastes  and  inclinations  were  such  as  to  lead 
him  to  shrink  from  public  life.  For  a  number  of  years  he  held  the  office  of  Pi'esident  of 
the  Massachusetts  Bank.  He  was  an  associate  with  Dr.  William  Ellery  Channing,  Eev. 
George  Ripley,  Dr.  Charles  Follen  and  many  other  prominent  men,  in  the  well-known 
Progress  Club,  and  was  a  very  intimate  friend  of  Dr.  Channing.  Among  many  other 
bequests  and  donations  he  contributed  $30,000  in  aid  of  the  Boston  Public  Library,  first 
making  a  donation  of  $10,000  and  afterwards  bequeathing  by  will  $20,000,  the  interest  of 
which  sums  alone  is  available  for  use.  He  bequeathed  likewise  the  sum  of  $20,000  to  the 
City  in  trust,  the  income  of  which  is  to  be  expended  in  adorning  and  embellishing  the 
streets  and  public    places.     To  this  last-mentioned  bequest,  the  City  owes  the  statue  of 


BOSTON  SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  139 

Josiah  Quincy  in  front  of  City  Hall,  that  of  John  Winthrop  m  Scollay  Square,  and  that  of 
Samuel  Adams  on  Washington  Street. 

Mr.  Phillips  died  in  Boston  on  the  29th  of  July,  1860,  at  the  age  of  eighty-two  years. 

Of  the  publications  during  the  ten  years,  the  seventh  volume  of  the  Journal  and  the 
last  of  the  series,  was  completed  in  1863.  The  Memoirs  in  quarto  form  which  succeeded 
the  Journal  had  been  delivered  to  members  in  parts  from  1863  ;  the  whole  of  the  first 
volume  being  completed  in  1869.  Of  the  Proceedings  the  twelfth  volume  and  part  of  the 
thirteenth  had  been  issued. 

The  members  of  the  several  standing  committees  of  the  Council  during  the  decade 
were  as  follows  : 

On  Puljlication.  Drs.  Jeffries  Wyman,  Augustus  A.  Gould,  S.  L.  Abbot,  Samuel  Knee- 
land,  Charles  Pickering ;  and  Messrs.  S.  H.  Scudder,  William  T.  Brigham  and  Charles  J. 
Sprague. 

On  the  Library.  Messrs.  Charles  K.  Dillaway,  Charles  J.  Sprague,  S.  H.  Scudder,  Hor- 
ace Mann,  J.  Elliot  Cabot;  and  Drs.  John  Bacon  and  A.  S.  Packard,  Jr. 

On  Finance.  Messrs.  Thomas  T.  Bouve,  James  M.  Barnard,  Edward  Pickering  and 
Amos  Binney. 

The  average  attendance  at  the  general  meetings  during  the  ten  years  was  as  follows : 

For  the  year  1860-61  37  For  the  year  1865-66  34 

"            "       1861-62  37  "            "       1866-67  39 

«            «       1862-63  33  «            "       1867-68  40 

«            "      1863-64  44  «            "       1868-69  33 

«            "       1864-65  33  «            "       1869-70  32 

The  average  attendance  at  the  meetings  of  the  Section  of  Microscopy  after  its  for- 
mation was  for  the  months  December  1864  to  May  1865,  9  ;  for  the  year  1865-66,  9  ; 
1866-67,  12  ;  1867-68,  12  ;  1868-69,  8  ;  1869-70,  9. 

The  average  attendance  at  the  meetings  of  the  Section  of  Entomology  after  its  forma- 
tion was  for  the  months  November  1866  to  May  1,  1867,  12 ;  for  the  year  1867-68,  9  ; 
1868-69,  12;  1869-70,  10. 

The  members  who  took  the  most  active  part  in  the  proceedings  of  the  Society  during 
the  first  five  years  of  the  decade  were  Drs.  Jeffries  Wyman,  C.  T.  Jackson,  B.  Joy  Jeffi-ies, 
James  C.  White,  Charles  Pickering,  Augustus  A.  Gould,  Henry  Bryant,  Burt  G.  Wilder, 
C.  P.  Winslow,  William  Stimpson  and  Thomas  M.  Brewer ;  Profs.  Louis  Agassiz,  William 
B.  Rogers  and  H.  J.  Clarke ;  Messrs.  S.  H.  Scudder,  F.  W.  Putnam,  Alexander  Agassiz,  A. 
E.  Verrill,  Horace  Mann,  C.  J.  Sprague,  Charles  Stodder  and  Thomas  T.  Bouve.  Those 
who  were  most  active  during  the  last  five  years  were  Drs.  Jeffries  Wyman,  C.  T. 
Jackson,  B.  Joy  Jeffi'ies,  James  C.  White,  Charles  Pickering,  Hermann  A.  Hagen,  J.  B.  S. 
Jackson,  Thomas  M.  Brewer ;  Messrs.  S.  H.  Scudder,  Charles  Stodder,  William  T.  Brigham, 
E.  C.  Greenleaf,  N.  S.  Shaler,  Horace  Mann,  B.  P.  Mann,  F.  G.  Sanborn,  E.  Bicknell,  C. 
S.  Minot  and  Thomas  T.  Bouve. 

Walher  Prizes.  In  accordance  with  the  provisions  in  an  agreement  made  with  Dr. 
William  J.  Walker  by  which  the  Walker  Prize  Fund  was  established,  offers  were  made  for 
the  best  and  second  best  memoirs  presented  on  subjects  proposed  by  a  Committee  of  the 
Council,  as  follows : 

Subject  for  1865 :  "  Adduce  and  discuss  the  evidence  of  the  coexistence  of  man  and 
extinct  animals,  with  the  view  of  determining  the  limits  of  his  antiquity." 


140  HISTORICAL   SKETCH   OF  THE 

Subject  for  1866  :  "The  fertilization  of  plants  by  the  agency  of  insects,  in  reference 
both  to  cases  where  this  agency  is  absolutely  necessary,  and  where  it  is  only  accessory." 

No  essays  having  been  presented,  or  none  deemed  by  the  Council  worthy  of  a  prize,  the 
same  subjects  were  proposed  again  for  the  years  1867  and  1868,  but  still  -\\nthout  bringing 
forth  any  response  from  writers.  Other  subjects  were  therefore  proposed  for  the  two  sub- 
sequent years,  viz : 

For  1869 :  "  On  the  range  of  arctic  and  al2:)ine  plants  hi  Northern  America,  "\vith  an 
enmneration  of  species." 

For  1870 :  "The  reproduction  and  migration  of  Trichina  spiralis." 

As  with  the  case  of  previous  subjects,  neither  of  these  last  elicited  any  response,  or  any 
of  sufficient  merit  in  the  estimation  of  the  Council  to  call  for  an  award.  It  will  be  seen 
later  that  those  proposed  for  the  immediately  succeeding  years  were  more  successful  in 
calling  forth  essays  upon  them. 

The  property  of  the  Society  at  the  end  of  this  decade,  besides  the  building,  and  the  col- 
lections and  library  which  were  of  inestimable  value,  consisted  of  investments  belonging 
to  the  various  funds  amounting  in  the  aggregate  to  $186,898.20 ;  this  included,  however, 
several  bequests  left  under  restrictions,  a  part  of  the  income  of  which  must  be  expended 
only  for  special  purposes,  and  can  never  be  available  for  general  uses  or  expenses. 

The  library  at  this  time  had  nearly  doubled  in  size  during  the  ten  years,  and  consisted 
of  9396  volumes,  and  2677  pamphlets,  as  before  stated.  But  if  the  members  had  cause  to 
rejoice  at  the  material  prosperity  of  the  institution,  they  too  had  often  cause  to  lament 
the  loss  of  faithful  workers  for  its  interests,  many  of  whom  had  been  companions  in  their 
labors.  Among  those  taken  by  death  during  the  ten  years  were  Dr.  B.  D.  Greene, 
Dr.  Geo.  Hayward,  Mr.  Francis  Alger  and  Dr.  Augustus  A.  Gould,  all  original  members  of 
the  Society;  Dr.  Wm.  J.  Walker,  its  great  benefactor;  Dr.  Henry  Bryant,  Mr.  Octavius 
Pickering,  Mr.  Thomas  Bulfinch,  Mr.  Horace  Mann,  Mr.  Huntington  Frothingham 
Wolcott,  Mr.  Carleton  Atwood  ShurtlefF  and  Capt.  Joseph  P.  Couthouy. 

Decade  V.     Mat,  1870  — May,  1880. 

1870.  The  fifth  decade  commences  with  the  office  of  President  vacant,  by  the 
resignation  of  Dr.  Jeffries  Wyman  ;  with  Mr.  Alpheus  Hyatt,  Custodian ;  Rev.  Joshua  A. 
Swan,  Recording  Secretary  and  Librarian  ;  Dr.  Samuel  L.  Abbot,  Corresponding  Secre- 
tary ;  Mr.  Edward  Pickering,  Treasurer  ;  Mr.  F.  G.  Sanborn,  Assistant  in  the  Museum  ; 
Miss  Lillias  Blaikie,  Assistant  in  the  Library,  and  Mr.  George  Coles,  Janitor. 

It  will  be  recollected  that  at  the  annual  meeting  the  Committees  for  the  several  depart- 
ments of  Comparative  Anatomy,  Mammals  and  Microscopy  were  not  elected.  At  the  first 
meeting  succeeding,  the  following  pei'sons  were  chosen  to  these  respectively : 

3Ianimah.     J.  A.  Allen,  Thomas  Waterman,  Jr.,  M.D.,  J.  B.  S.  Jackson,  M.D. 

Comjiarative  Anatomy.  Thomas  Dwight,  M.D.,  Jeffries  Wyman,  M.D.,  J.  C.  White, 
M.D. 

Alicroseojni.      Edwin  Bicknell,  R.  C.  Greenleaf,  B.  Joy  Jeffries,  M.D. 

The  following  changes  were  made  in  the  members  of  the  Committees  as  elected  at  the 
annual  meeting :  J.  A.  Allen  was  tivansferred  from  the  Committee  on  Ornithology  to  that 


BOSTON  SOCIETY   OP  NATUEAL   HISTORY.  141 

of  Fishes  and  Reptiles,  taking  N.  E.  Atwood's  place  on  the  latter ;  and  J.  Elliot  Cabot 
was  chosen  one  of  the  Committee  on  Ornithology. 

It  was  decided  to  change  the  Janitor's  room  from  the  north-west  corner  of  the  base- 
ment to  the  south-west  corner,  at  an  expense  of  $1500,  it  having  been  found  that 
from  lack  of  sunshine  in  the  apartments,  the  health  of  members  of  his  family  had  been 
seriously  impaired. 

Under  the  new  condition  of  affairs  inaugurated  by  the  election  of  Mr.  Hyatt  as  Cus- 
todian, certain  changes  were  desirable  in  the  Regulations  and  By-Laws.  The  Librarian, 
besides  such  duties  as  defined  hitherto,  was  given  the  sole  direction  of  the  Janitor  so  far  as 
related  to  work  expected  of  him  in  the  delivery  of  publications,  care  of  office,  lecture 
room,  &c.  He  was  also  to  have  sole  charge  of  the  assistants  in  the  Library.  The  office 
hours  were  fixed  at  from  9  A.  M.,  until  the  closing  of  the  Library  in  the  afternoon,  ex- 
cept an  intermission  not  exceeding  two  hours  at  noon.  A  vacation  of  two  months  was 
allowed  him  during  the  year. 

The  Custodian,  in  addition  to  duties  defined  in  By-laws,  was  to  have  the  immediate 
charge  of  the  Museum,  and  the  sole  direction  of  the  assistants  employed  there.  Also  the 
sole  direction  of  the  Janitor,  excepting  in  such  duties  as  are  mentioned  in  the  authority 
given  the  Librarian  over  him.  He  was  empowered  to  decide  in  all  cases  relative  to  the 
arrangement,  care  or  use  of  the  collections  not  otherwise  specially  pi-ovided  for,  and  his 
decision  was  to  be  binding,  unless  overruled  by  the  Council.  When  any  department  suf- 
fered by  neglect  or  other  cause,  he  was  authorized  to  take  charge  of  it  and  report  to  the 
Council.  He  was  required  to  prepare  a  report  as  early  as  possible  on  the  state  of  the  Mu- 
seum, and  a  plan  for  the  definite  arrangement  of  the  collection,  so  as  to  best  illustrate  what 
the  Society  had  in  view  by  the  formation  of  its  Museum.  He  was  required  to  give  twenty- 
four  hours  each  week  at  least,  of  undivided  attention  to  the  Museum;  six  hours  each 
for  four  days,  or  eight  hours  each  for  three  days.  A  vacation  of  two  months  was  granted 
him. 

The  Assistant  in  the  Museum  was  authorized  to  act  for  the  Custodian  in  his  absence.  A 
vacation  of  six  weeks  was  allowed  him,  the  time  to  be  fixed  by  the  Custodian. 

The  Assistant  in  the  Lil^rary  was  required  to  act  for  the  Librarian  in  his  absence. 
Her  attendance  was  fixed  at  seven  hours  per  day.  She  was  to  be  allowed  six  weeks 
vacation  during  the  year,  the  time  to  be  appointed  by  the  Librarian. 

It  was  understood  that  an  appeal  might  be  made  to  the  Council  on  the  part  of  any  one 
employed  who  felt  aggrieved. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Society  on  the  1st  of  June,  a  Committee  was  appointed,  consisting 
of  five  members,  to  present  a  candidate  for  the  office  of  President  at  the  next  meeting. 
Mr.  Edward  Pickering,  Dr.  C.  F.  Winslow,  Mr.  Chas.  J.  Sprague,  Mr.  R.  C.  Greenleaf  and 
Mr.  William  H.  NUes  com^iosed  this  Committee. 

At  the  next  meeting,  held  on  the  25th  of  June,  Mr.  Edward  Pickering,  the  chairman, 
reported  that  the  name  that  first  suggested  itself  to  the  Committee  was  that  of  the  First 
Vice-President,  Dr.  Charles  T.  Jackson,  one  of  the  earliest,  most  constant  aud  devoted  of 
the  friends  of  the  Society.  Upon  his  unwearying  interest  in  its  welfare,  his  liberal  contri- 
butions to  its  treasures,  his  courtesy  as  a  presiding  officer,  his  well  known  scientific  attain- 
ments, it  was  not  necessary  to  enlarge.  But  the  reception  of  the  following  letter  pre- 
vented the  Committee  from  offering  his  name  as  a  candidate. 


142  HISTORICAL   SKETCH  OF  THE 

Edward  Pickering,  Esq.,  Chairman  of  Committee  of  JVoynitiation. 

Dear  Sir  :  Having  been  informed  that  the  Committee  on  the  Nomination  of  President 
for  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History  are  disposed  to  offer  my  name  as  a  candidate  for 
that  office,  I  beg  leave  to  say  to  the  Committee,  through  you,  that  however  highly  I  con- 
sider the  honor,  I  cannot  consent  to  become  a  candidate,  since  my  health,  which  is  often 
impaired,  especially  in  the  winter,  might  be  inadequate  to  the  very  important  duties  and 
constant  attention  required  of  the  first  officer  of  the  Society.  So  far  as  my  health  and 
ability  will  permit,  I  shall  always  be  happy  to  labor  for  the  interests  of  the  Society,  and 
whatever  influence  I  can  exert  will  be  in  its  ftivor. 

A  younger  man  than  myself  I  believe  would  be  able  to  serve  the  Society  much  better 
than  I  can,  and  my  personal  preference  would  be  in  favor  of  the  promotion  of  the  Second 
Vice-President,  Mr.  Thomas  T.  Bouve,  to  the  Presidency  of  the  Society. 

Most  cordially  thanking  the  Committee  for  their  lavorable  consideration,  I  have  the 
honor  to  be  Your  obedient  servant, 

Charles  T.  Jackson. 

Under  these  circumstances  the  Committee  proposed  for  the  office  of  President  of  the 
Society  the  name  of  the  Second  Vice-President,  Thomas  T.  Bouve. 

The  report  was  accepted. 

Dr.  C.  F.  Winslow  moved  that  the  Society  proceed  to  ballot  for  the  candidate  nominated. 

This  led  to  considerable  discussion,  there  being  the  feeling  on  the  part  of  some  present, 
that  the  proposed  action  was  hasty,  and  that  no  harm  could  result  from  postponing  the 
election  to  a  futui'e  period.  A  ballot,  however,  was  ordered  by  a  large  majority  of  the 
members,  which  resulted  in  the  election  of  Mr.  Thomas  T.  Bouve  to  the  Presidency  of  the 
Society,  there  being  but  two  dissenting  votes. 

Early  in  this  official  year  a  letter  was  received  from  Prof.  Ruukle  of  the  Institute  of 
Technology,  expressing  a  desire  for  the  cooperation  of  the  Boston  Society  of  Natui'al 
History  with  the  Institute.  This  was  warmly  responded  to  by  the  Council,  and  the  Presi- 
dent, Mr.  Bouve,  was  requested  to  write  an  answer  to  Professor  Runkle  expressive  of  the 
readiness  of  the  Society  to  meet  his  wishes,  it  being  thought  that  an  arrangement  might 
be  made  which  would  be  of  service  to  both  institutions  in  the  furtherance  of  the  purpose 
each  had  in  view,  to  extend  a  knowledge  of  science  in  the  community. 

A  plan  was  sulssequently  adopted  by  which  the  Institute  had  permission  to  use  the  halls 
of  the  Museum  and  the  collections  for  the  instruction  of  its  students,  subject  to  such 
restrictions  as  the  Council  might  impose  for  the  preservation  of  the  specimens,  it  being 
understood  that  the  Society  should  be  paid  a  certain  sum  therefor,  and  that  the  Institute 
should  deposit  the  collections  and  charts  of  the  late  Prof.  H.  D.  Rogers  with  the  Society, 
grant  the  use  of  the  Huntington  Hall  for  lectures,  if  required,  and  contribute  specimens 
of  natural  history  towards  an  educational  series.  Under  this  arrangement.  Dr.  Samuel 
Kneeland  delivei'ed  several  lectures  on  Zoology  in  the  lecture  room  of  the  Society  the 
first  year,  and  the  Custodian  delivered  a  course  on  Palaeontology. 

It  is  well,  perhaps,  before  proceeding  to  detail  further  the  doings  of  the  Society,  to 
dwell  at  some  length  upon  the  necessity  of  a  change  in  the  management  of  its  inter- 
ests, which  had  led  primarily  to  the  election  of  Mr.  Hyatt  as  Custodian,  and  subsequently 
to  the  adoption  of  a  more  defined  policy  in  its  administration.     It  is  manifestly  unjust  to 


BOSTON   SOCIETY   OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  143 

the  memory  of  the  many  distinguished  and  devoted  members  of  the  Society  who,  from  its 
earliest  period  to  that  now  under  consideration,  were  active  in  its  affairs,  to  imply  that  no 
plan  of  organization,  or  policy  of  administration  had  been  acted  upon.  A  common  senti- 
ment influenced  all  of  them,  that  of  affording  means  by  which  a  better  knowledge  of 
natural  history  might  be  attained  by  themselves  and  disseminated  in  the  community,  and 
to  act  upon  this  they  deliberately  planned  for  the  accomplishment  of  their  purposes  and 
organized  means  for  the  object.  They  established  a  Museum,  they  founded  a  Library, 
they  held  meetings,  gave  lectures,  and  published  scientific  papers.  Simply,  they  did  not 
define  their  course  of  action  or  their  arrangement  of  the  Museum,  as  more  advanced 
knowledge  and  experience  siiggested  in  1870.  What  they  did  was  in  accordance  with  the 
best  thought  prevailing  anywhere  in  relation  to  such  institutions  as  that  of  the  Society. 

If  the  several  departments  of  the  Museum  they  formed  were  not  placed  in  such  se- 
quence as  to  form  together  as  now,  the  best  means  for  the  education  of  visitors,  the  collec- 
tions of  each  were  arranged  in  thorough  scientific  order.  The  time  had  however  come  for 
a  more  definite  statement  of  what  was  proposed  on  the  part  of  the  Society,  especially  as 
views  were  held  by  some  members  tending  to  prevent  such  change  in  its  policy  and  in  the 
arrangement  of  the  collections  as  seemed  desirable  for  its  best  good.  The  Custodian,  Mr. 
Hyatt,  was  therefore  required,  as  has  been  before  mentioned,  to  prepare  a  report  as  early 
as  possible,  on  the  state  of  the  Museum  and  a  plan  for  its  definite  arrangement,  so  as  to 
best  illustrate  what  the  Society  had  in  view  in  its  foundation.  This  he  did  soon  after,  and 
a  vote  was  passed  by  the  Council,  adopting  the  proposed  plan  as  a  basis  for  action 
vmtil  the  annual  meeting  in  1871. 

This  plan  was  not  limited  in  its  application  to  the  Museum.  The  paper  presented  by 
the  Custodian  and  adopted  by  the  Council,  was  termed  "Proposed  Plan  of  Organization," 
and  embraced  views  and  suggestions  concerning  the  meetings,  the  publications,  and  the 
library,  as  well  as  the  Museum.  The  essential  details  of  this  plan  may  be  found  in  the 
annual  report  for  the  year  ending  May,  1871,  published  in  the  fourteenth  volume  of  the 
Proceedings.  Here  only  such  portions  of  it  will  be  referred  to  as  tended  to  excite  opposi- 
tion and  to  lead  to  a  conflict  of  opinion  and  action  upon  measures  deemed  essential  to  the 
interests  of  the  Society. 

After  stating  that  the  Museum  of  the  Society  was  intended  especially  for  the  instruction 
of  teachers,  general  students  and  the  public,  and  that  therefore  its  collections  should  be 
arranged  according  to  some  easily  understood  and  comprehensive  plan,  illustrating  the 
general  laws  of  natural  science,  the  Custodian  added,  "All  the  different  departments 
should  be  connected  as  closely  as  possible,  and  form  together  a  series  of  lessons  in  the 
structure  of  the  earth  and  its  constituent  parts,  and  in  the  organization  of  the  plants  and 
animals  living  upon  its  surface." 

A  clear  understanding  of  the  defective  general  character  of  the  arrangement  of  the 
Museum,  as  judged  in  the  light  of  present  experience,  is  necessary  in  order  that  the  reason 
for  a  radical  change  in  the  location  of  the  several  departments  in  the  building,  involving 
large  expenditui'e  of  time  and  money,  may  be  manifest. 

As  recently  as  when  the  new  building  of  the  Society  was  constructed,  it  is  doubtful  if  in 
any  of  the  great  museums  of  the  world,  the  im23ortance  was  recognized  of  ai-ranging  the 
several  departments  in  such  relation  to  each  other  as  would  best  serve  educational  inter- 
ests ;  certain  it  is,  that  not  a  member  of  the  Society  gave  a  thought  to  it.     The  only  idea 


144  HISTORICAL   SKETCH   OF   THE 


that  moved  the  minds  of  the  Curators  in  selecting  rooms  for  the  collections  was  that  of 
obtaining  such  as  would  meet  the  requirements  of  each  department  without  reference  to 
the  rest.  Thus  it  happened  that  those  brought  in  contact  had  no  relation  to  each  other, 
and  others  closely  allied  by  nature,  were  far  remote  in  location.  On  the  lower  floor, 
where  are  two  exhibition  rooms,  one  was  appropriated  to  Botany,  the  other  to  Geology, 
whilst  the  department  of  Minerals,  which  should  have  had  a  place  with  that  of  Geology, 
and  immediately  preceding  it,  was  far  away  in  another  part  of  the  building. 

To  act  upon  the  advanced  views  expressed  by  the  Custodian  upon  the  arrangement  of 
the  departments  in  consecutive  series,  a  radical  change  was  necessary,  involving  great  ex- 
pense, particularly  in  the  reconstruction  of  cases,  so  that  there  might  be  a  proper  adapta- 
tion of  them  to  new  uses.  Perhaps  it  was  fortunate  that  as  constructed  originally,  none 
of  them  were  fit  for  the  purposes  designed.  They  were,  undoubtedly,  as  suitable  as  those 
generally  then  found  in  Museums,  but  experience  had  taught  the  Curators  that  there  was 
a  necessity  for  much  better,  if  the  collections  were  to  be  saved  from  ruin.  This  fact  made 
it  easier  to  accomplish  the  radical  change  in  arrangement  desired  on  scientific  considera- 
tions, as  it  was  seen  that  the  necessary  expenditure  would  accomplish  a  double  object. 
There  was  no  intention  to  do  all  or  miich  at  once,  towards  effecting  the  change,  but  only 
to  establish  the  policy  of  placing  the  collections  in  such  consecutive  order  as  suggested, 
and  act  upon  it  as  time  and  means  would  allow.  The  President  heartily  approved  of  the 
change.  He  was  strongly  averse  to  encroaching  on  the  principal  of  the  property  of  the 
Society  for  any  but  the  most  weighty  reasons,  but  he  regarded  the  end  to  be  attained  as 
fully  justifying  the  means,  and  he  gave  the  policy  of  re-arrangement  of  the  Museum  all 
the  individual  and  ofiicial  influence  he  could  bring  to  bear  in  its  support. 

Besides  the  re-arrangement  of  the  several  departments,  the  proposed  plan  contemplated 
the  formation  of  separate  New  England  collections  in   each,  and  an   epitome  collection  of 
the  organic  sections  of  the  Museum,  containing  the  types  of  the  vegetable   and  animal 
kingdoms,  classified  to  show  the  approximations  of  the  lower,  and  the  great  differences  of 
the  higher  orders  of  each,  with  the  zoological  succession  of  the  types  of  each.     It  will  be 
seen  in  the  remaining  pages  of  this  vokmie  how  steadily  the  policy  was  adhered  to  of 
effecting  the  object  mentioned,  and  how  gradually  but  surely  the  great  work  was  accom- 
plished ;  although  not  without  opposition,  and  not  without  the  manifestation  of  unpleasant 
feeling  on  the  part  of  some  who  failed  to  recognize  the  wisdom  of  what  was  proposed. 
This  was  to  be  expected,  even  on  the  part  of  members  devoted  to  the  interest  of  the  Society. 
The  Custodian  indicated  his  appreciation  of  this  in  the  following  remarks  upon  the  plan 
submitted. 

"  The  difficulties  to  be  encountered  in  carrying  out  the  details  of  any  scheme,  will  be 
great  or  small,  precisely  in  proportion  to  the  feeling  which  governs  the  officers  entrusted 
with  its  execution.  If  a  broad,  catholic  s^nrit  of  consideration  for  the  interests  of  the 
Museum  obtains,  there  need  be  no  doubt  of  its  ultimate  success.  On  the  other  hand,  if 
regai-d  for  the  interests  of  any  special  departments  is  allowed  to  interfere  with  the 
uniform  arrangements  and  proper  scientific  use  of  the  whole  Museum,  no  very  beneficial 
results  can  be  anticipated."  The  course  pursued  has,  it  is  believed,  received  the  commen- 
dation of  all  naturalists  who  have  made  themselves  acquainted  with  it,  and  witnessed 
the  results. 


GALLERY   OVER  MAIN  HALL. 


BASEMENT 


MUSEUM    OF   THE    BOSTON    SOCIETY   OF   NATURAL    HISTORY. 

FLOOR  PLANS. 


BOSTON   SOCIETY   OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  145 

In  October  of  this  year,  a  large  fin-back  whale  was  exhibited  in  one  of  the  docks 
of  the  harbor,  exciting  much  interest  in  the  community,  and  attracting  a  large  con- 
course of  visitors.  The  matter  was  brought  before  the  Council  by  a  motion  being  made 
that  Dr.  Thos.  Dwight,  Jr.  and  the  Custodian  be  a  committee  to  procure  if  possible  the 
skeleton  of  this  huge  animal  for  the  Museum.  At  the  next  meeting  Dr.  Dwight  reported 
that  the  carcass  had  been  presented  to  the  Society  by  Mr.  Harvey  T.  Litchfield,  had  been 
accepted  by  the  committee,  and  had  been  towed  to  and  stranded  upon  Spectacle  Island. 
Upon  the  suggestion  of  Dr.  Dwight,  three  hundred  dollars  were  voted  to  cover  expenses 
of  transportation,  cleaning,  and  delivering  the  skeleton  at  the  Museum. 

This  fine  specimen  now  adorns  the  main  hall  of  the  Museum,  being  suspended  from  the 
roof  of  the  building.  Dr.  Dwight  gave  a  large  part  of  a  year  of  scientific  labor  in  the 
preparation  and  final  arrangement  of  the  skeleton  in  the  position  it  now  occupies,  and  to 
him  the  Society  is  mainly  indebted  for  such  an  important  acquisition  to  its  collection. 
The  skeleton  is  undoubtedly  the  finest  in  the  country,  and  its  perfection  is  largely  due 
to  his  personal  care  and  watchfulness  over  the  carcass  imtil  all  the  bones  were  safely 
removed. 

The  lack  of  means  at  this  time  necessary  to  accomjjlish  all  the  objects  the  Society  had 
in  view  for  the  instruction  of  the  public  in  science,  weighed  upon  the  minds  of  the  active 
members,  as  indeed  it  has  ever  since.  They  were,  therefore,  much  gratified  to  learn  from 
the  President  that  he  had  had  an  interview  with  Mr.  John  Amory  Lowell,  the  Trustee  of 
the  Lowell  Institute,  who  had  kindly  expressed  a  willingness  to  provide  for  several  courses 
of  lectures  from  the  Lowell  fund,  to  be  given  in  our  building  under  the  auspices  of  the 
Society  ;  the  lectures  to  be  selected  by  the  Coiuicil,  and  the  subjects  to  be  such  as  per- 
tained to  natural  history. 

In  accordance  with  this  favoral)le  provision  for  continued  instruction  by  lectures,  seven 
courses  were  given  during  the  season  of  1870-71.  The  fii'st  six  lectures  were  by  the 
Rev.  J.  L.  Russell,  on  Cryptogamic  Botany,  the  second  course  of  two  lectures  by 
Prof  J.  S.  Newberry,  on  the  Canons  of  the  Colorado  and  Ancient  Civilization  of  America, 
the  third  course  of  six  lectures  by  Dr.  Thos.  Dwight,  Jr.,  on  the  Comparative  Anat- 
omy of  the  Mammalia,  the  fourth  course  of  four  lectures  by  Dr.  P.  P.  Carpenter,  on 
a  General  Sketch  of  Mollusca,  the  fifth  course  of  two  lectures  was  by  the  Rev.  R.  C. 
Water, 'ton,  on  some  of  the  remarkable  natural  features  of  California ;  the  sixth  course  of 
twelve  lectures  by  Prof.  W.  H.  Niles  on  the  Principles  of  Geology,  and  the  seventh 
course  of  six  lectures  by  the  Rev.  E.  C.  BoUes,  on  the  Revelations  of  the  Microscope. 
These  lectures  were  generally  attended  by  large  numbers  and  were  of  a  very  interesting 
and  instructive  character. 

In  December,  1870,  Miss  Blaikie,  whose  services  as  assistant  in  the  Library  had  been 
very  valuable,  and  whose  presence  had  always  diffused  cheerfulness,  resigned  on  account 
of  her  approaching  marriage.  The  thanks  of  the  Council  were  presented  to  her  for  the 
very  efficient  manner  in  which  she  had  discharged  the  duties  of  her  office. 

1871.  By  vote  of  the  Council  in  Januai'y  of  this  year,  as  one  of  the  precautions  against 
fire,  smoking  in  every  part  of  the  building  was  prohibited.  On  Feb.  7th,  Mr.  John  Cum- 
mings  presented  to  the  Society  five  hundred  dollars  to  be  ajDplied  for  educational  lectures 
to  teachers  during  the  next  winter,  that  of  1871-72.  Mr.  John  Cummings,  the  President, 
Mr.  Bouv6,  the  Custodian,  Mr.  Hyatt,  and  Mr.  Wm.  H.  Niles,  were  appointed  a  Committee 


146  HISTORICAL  SKETCH   OF  THE 

manifestation  made  by  Mr.  Cimimings  of  bis  intention  to  afford  an  opportmiity  to  the 
teachers  of  Boston  to  become  acquainted  with  natural  history.  His  mind  had  for  some 
time  dwelt  ni^on  a  phm  by  which  the  public  might  possess  a  better  scientific  culture  than 
hitherto,  and  thus  share  in  its  refining  influences.  The  general  lectures  delivered  each 
winter,  thougli  undoubtedly  of  great  service  to  many,  seemed  to  him  to  accomplish  but 
inadequately  the  oljject  he  had  in  view.  He  finally  came  to  the  conclusion  that  by  inter- 
esting the  teachers  in  the  several  branches  of  science,  and  by  affording  them  an  oppor- 
tunity of  receiving  practical  instruction,  better  and  more  lasting  results  might  follow  than 
from  any  other  course.  Possessing  themselves  a  knowledge  of  botany,  of  mineralogy,  or 
of  any  other  branch,  they  could  not  fail  to  exert  a  great  influence  upon  the  many  thous- 
and minds  that  came  under  their  instruction,  in  favor  of  its  study,  and  thus  another  gen- 
eration be  led  to  show  greater  interest  in  pursuits  of  an  elevating  tendency.  The  mem- 
bers of  the  committee  other  than  Mr.  Cummings  himself,  feeling  a  great  interest  in  the 
proposed  plan,  early  issued  a  circular  to  the  teachers,  calling  attention  to  the  generous 
proposnl  made  by  him,  and  invited  their  co-operation.  A  committee  on  the  part  of  the 
masters  of  the  Grammar  Schools  was  appointed  to  learn  the  feelings  of  the  teachers  gen- 
erally on  the  matter,  and  to  report  results.  The  circular  referred  to,  after  mentioning  the 
proposal  of  the  donor,  stated  that  teachers  of  every  grade  were  invited  ;  that  the  lectures 
would  be  given  on  Wednesday  or  Saturday  afternoons,  as  the  teachers  might  decide,  com- 
mencing in  October  and  continuing  through  the  winter  at  the  Museum  of  Natural 
History ;  that  the  earlier  courses  would  be  on  Physical  Geography,  Botany  and  Geol- 
ogy, and  that  they  would  be  given  by  Professors  familiar  with  the  object  method  of  teach- 
ing and  skillful  in  the  use  of  chalk ;  that  it  was  designed  that  the  lectures  should  be 
practical  and  familiar,  questions  and  answers  to  be  allowed,  and  the  whole  subject  slowly 
developed ;  that  the  Professors  were  anxious  to  know  how  large  classes  they  could  rely 
upon  before  leaving  the  Museum  for  summer  work,  and  therefore  asked  all  teachers 
who  desired  to  avail  themselves  of  the  offer  to  sign  the  circular. 

It  was  gi'atifying  to  find  that  the  movement  excited  great  interest  on  the  part  of  those 
to  whom  it  was  addressed,  manifested  by  the  prompt  signing  of  the  circular  by  ujswards 
of  seven  hundred  teachers.  The  great  success  which  followed  this  preliminary  action  will 
be  given  in  the  account  of  proceedings  hereafter. 

In  March  of  this  year,  a  bequest  of  one  thousand  dollars  was  received  from  the  late  Mr. 
Sidney  Homer  for  the  general  purposes  of  the  Society.  The  Council  subsequently  voted 
to  appropriate  the  amount  for  New  England  mammals. 

The  assistant  in  the  Museum,  Mr.  Sanljorn,  was  authorized  to  devote  two  mornings  each 
week  to  giving  instruction  at  the  Bussey  School  of  Agriculture,  upon  his  consenting  to 
have  his  salary  reduced,  and  Mr.  P.  S.  Sprague  was  employed  to  Avork  in  the  collection  of 
Insects. 

At  the  annual  meeting  in  May,  the  Custodian  read  his  report  lor  the  year.  Much  of  it 
was  devoted  to  general  considerations  concerning  the  objects  of  the  policy  of  the  Society 
wliich,  having  been  referred  to  earlier,  will  not  be  dwelt  upon  here.  Of  the  meetings,  it  was 
stated  that  there  had  been  eighteen  of  the  Society,  with  an  average  attendance  of  forty- 
one  persons,  eight  of  the  section  of  Microscopy  with  an  average  attendance  of  eleven,  and 


BOSTON  SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  147 

seven  of  the  section  of  Entomology  with  an  average  of  ten.  Thirty-seven  written  com- 
munications had  been  made  by  thirty-six  persons.  Of  these,  thirteen  were  presented  in 
the  section  of  Entomology  and  thirteen  in  the  section  of  Microscopy. 

Of  the  publications,  eleven  signatures  of  the  Proceedings,  completing  the  thirteenth  vol- 
ume, had  been  issued,  and  of  the  Memoirs,  one  paper.  Historical  Notes  on  the  Earth- 
quakes of  New  England,  by  William  T.  Brigham,  had  appeared. 

The  Library  had  received  during  the  year  by  gift,  purchase  or  exchange,  215  volumes, 
765  parts  of  volumes,  183  pamphlets  and  22  maps  and  charts.  The  use  of  the  Library  had 
been  extended  to  members  of  the  Institute  of  Technology  and  to  others  pursuing  some 
branch  of  natural  science,  Avho  made  application. 

Of  the  departments  of  the  Museum,  the  Custodian  reported  as  follows : 

That  of  Minei'alogy  had  received  a  large  accession  by  the  purchase  of  a  fine  series  of 
specimens,  and  by  the  presentation  of  several,  and  the  reception  of  others  by  exchauo-e. 
The  whole  collection  was  in  perfect  order,  and  every  specimen  labelled. 

The  Geological  collection  was  in  good  order,  and  fully  arranged  and  labelled.  There 
had  been  no  important  additions. 

The  Palaeontological  collection  had  had  much  work  done  upon  it  in  identifyino-  and 
labelling  the  specimens. 

The  condition  of  the  Botanical  collection  was  stated  to  be  good,  being  entirely  free  from 
insects.  It  contained  about  25,000  specimens  labelled  and  glued  to  paiDcrs,  and  many 
hundred  duplicates  for  exchange.  A  considerable  number  of  plants  from  various  expe- 
ditions 3^et  required  much  study  and  work  for  their  identification  and  arrangement. 

The  dej^artment  of  Com2:)arative  Anatomy  had  been  enriched  by  the  important  addition 
made  to  it  of  the  skeleton  of  the  whale  before  mentioned,  of  the  reception  and  mounting 
of  which  the  particulars  have  been  given. 

The  corals  and  the  sponges  of  the  Radiata  had  been  rearranged  by  Mr.  Sanborn,  and 
placed  on  black  tablets.  The  labelling  was  reported,  however,  as  incorrect  in  many  cases, 
and  it  was  recommended  that  measures  should  be  taken  to  secure  the  services  of  Prof 
A.  E.  Verrill  for  the  naming  of  the  species. 

Much  work  had  been  done  on  the  Insects  by  Mr.  P.  S.  Sprague,  and  it  was  stated  that 
the  cases  recently  procured  would  obviate  all  danger  of  future  damage  from  moths  and 
Anthreni.  Valuable  additions  to  the  collection  had  been  made  by  Messrs.  Sanborn,  Swan, 
Trouvelot,  Sprague,  Dickenson,  Minot,  and  Scudder. 

The  department  of  the  Mollusca  required  much  attention  from  able  conchologists.  The 
services  of  Dr.  P.  P.  Carpenter  were  obtained  for  a  short  period  on  the  general  collection, 
and  Mr.  L.  Lincoln  Thaxter  continued  work  on  the  New  Ens-land  collection. 

The  collection  of  Fishes  was  in  good  order  and  Mi-.  Putnam  had  been  engaged  in  label- 
Img  the  specimens,  which  work  was  reported  as  nearly  completed. 

The  Reptiles  were  stated  to  be  in  the  same  condition  as  the  previous  year.  The  col- 
lection was  reported  as  small,  and  needing  many  additions. 

The  department  of  Ornithology  had  received  many  valuable  additions  of  fresh  eggs  of 
Arctic  birds  from  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  and  some  rare  specimens  of  birds  from 
Mr.  Thure  Kumlein. 

The  Custodian  had  adopted  many  expedients  to  stop  the  ravages  of  the  Anthreni,  but 


148  HISTORICAL    SKETCH    OF   THE 

with  only  partial  success.  Constant  work  alone,  he  said  was  the  most  effectual.  Every 
bird  had  been  soaked  in  benzine  or  naptha.  The  great  want  was  such  cases  as  are 
the  best  adapted  to  keep  out  the  pests  that  do  the  injury.  Those  in  use  were  not  iit  by 
their  construction  to  contain  specimens  liable  to  attack. 

The  department  of  the  Mammalia  was  reported  as  rapidly  improving.  The  New  Eng- 
land collection  had  received  many  accessions  obtained  by  expenditure  of  a  portion  of  the 
bequest  of  Mr.  Sidney  Homer,  the  Council,  as  before  stated,  having  appropriated  the  sum 
thus  received  for  the  purpose  of  adding  to  this  collection. 

At  the  election  of  officers,  Mr.  R.  C.  Greenleaf  was  chosen  Second  Vice-President,  and 
Mr.  J.  A.  Allen  one  of  the  Committee  on  birds  in  place  of  Mr.  J.  Elliot  Cabot,  resigned. 

Walker  Prizes.  At  a  meeting  of  the  Society  in  June,  the  President,  Mr.  Bouve,  pre- 
sented the  report  of  the  committee  on  the  Walker  prizes. 

To  Prof  Albert  N.  Prentiss  of  Ithaca,  New  York,  the  first  prize  of  one  hundred  dollars 
was  awarded,  and  to  Mr.  Daniel  Milliken  of  Hamilton,  Ohio,  the  second,  of  fifty  dollars, 
for  their  competitive  essays  "  On  the  mode  of  the  Natural  Distribution  of  Plants  over  the 
Surface  of  the  Earth." 

In  October,  Mr.  F.  W.  Putnam  called  the  attention  of  the  Society  to  the  great  loss  the 
Chicago  Academy  of  Science  had  suffered  in  the  destruction  by  fire  of  their  valuable  col- 
lections in  the  various  departments  of  natural  history  and  of  archaeology,  and  offered  a 
resolution  of  sympathy  on  the  -part  of  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History,  and  the 
offer  of  such  of  our  publications  and  duplicate  specimens  as  might  be  acceptable.  This 
was  ably  seconded  by  Professor  Agassiz,  who  mentioned  that  the  Museum  of  Comparative 
Zoology  had  suflered  greatly  by  the  fire,  as  all  of  Count  Pourtales'  collections  on  the  Deep 
Sea  dredging  expedition  were  deposited  there.     The  resolve  was  unanimously  passed. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Council  it  was  voted  that  Miss  Lucinda  Foster  be  employed  to  suc- 
ceed Miss  Blaikie  as  assistant  in  the  Library. 

The  death  of  the  Reverend  Joshua  Augustus  Swan,  the  Recording  Secretary  and  Libra- 
rian of  the  Society,  occurred  on  the  31st  of  October.  At  the  meeting  on  November  1st, 
the  President,  Mr.  Bouve,  paid  the  following  tribute  to  his  memory : 

"  I  know  not  how  to  utter  the  deep  grief  I  feel  and  which  I  know  is  shared  by  you  all 
in  the  death  of  our  dear  comj^anion,  Mr.  Swan,  the  Secretary  of  the  Society.  No  one,  I 
am  sure,  who  has  had  the  pleasure  of  personal  intercoiu'se  with  him,  but  will  feel  that  he 
has  lost  a  near  and  dear  friend.  To  me  his  presence  even  has  always  seemed  a  benedic- 
tion. I  do  not  think  I  ever  was  so  much  impressed  by  the  personal  character  of  any  man 
with  whom  I  have  come  in  contact  as  with  that  of  Mr.  Swan.  He  seemed  always  over- 
flowing with  love  for,  and  a  desire  to  aid,  all  about  him.  What  might  excite  in  other 
men  feelings  of  bitterness  or  anger,  moved  him  only  to  sorrow,  and  no  one  was  more  char- 
itable in  his  judgments  of  the  acts  of  others.  Truly  we  have  lost  from  our  circle  a  man 
devoid  of  guile,  upright  in  conduct,  lovable  bej-ond  expression,  pure  in  heart  and  faithful 
in  every  duty.  God  grant  that  his  family,  so  dear  to  him,  may  have  strength  to  bear  the 
loss  that  falls  so  much  more  heavily  upon  them  than  upon  all  others." 

The  following  i-esolutiou;  with  others  oflered  by  Prof.  J.  D.  Runkle,  was  then  unani- 
mously passed  : 


BOSTON   SOCIETY   OF  NATURAL   HISTORY.  149 

"  Resolved,  That  in  the  death  of  Mr.  Swan  the  Society  recognizes  the  loss  of  not  only  a 
highly  efficient  officer  and  member,  but  of  an  associate  greatly  respected  for  his  attain- 
ments as  a  scholar,  admired  for  his  noble  qualities  as  a  gentleman,  and  loved  for  his  many 
virtues  as  a  man  and  a  Christian." 

Before  the  close  of  the  year  it  had  become  so  evidently  necessary  to  have  cases  of 
better  construction  for  the  birds  than  those  in  use,  and  in  furtherance  of  the  plan  of 
reorganization  adopted,  the  Council  voted  that  the  entire  income  from  the  Bulfmch  Street 
fund  for  one  year,  be  expended  in  fitting  up  cases  in  the  upper  gallery  for  that  purpose. 

1872.  In  February,  Mr.  Edward  Burgess  was  elected  Eecording  Secretary  and 
Librarian  of  the  Society  in  place  of  Rev.  J.  A.  SAvan,  deceased. 

The  necessity  for  the  presence  of  police  officei's  on  public  exhibition  days  to  preserve 
order  and  to  see  that  the  specimens  of  the  Society  suffered  no  harm,  was  now  so  apparent 
that  at  the  meeting  on  March  6th,  the  President  was  authorized  to  petition  the  City  Gov- 
ernment to  appoint  such  officers. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Section  of  Entomology,  on  the  2Tth  of  March,  the  death  of  an 
active  member  of  that  section,  Mr.  William  Hales  Dale,  was  feelingly  referred  to,  and 
the  following  resolution  unanimously  passed : 

"  Resolved,  That  in  the  death  of  our  late  associate,  William  Hales  Dale,  we  mourn  the 
loss  of  one  whose  many  graces  had  endeared  him  to  us,  and  whose  reseai'ches  in  natural 
science,  now  abruptly  arrested  by  this  inscrutable  dispensation,  commanded  our  highest 
respect." 

This  gentleman  bequeathed  to  the  Section  of  Entomology  his  cabinet  of  insects,  and 
five  hundred  dollars. 

The  annual  meeting  of  the  Society  was  held  on  May  1st.  From  the  report  of  the 
Treasurer  it  appeared  that  the  receipts,  including  donations  amounting  to  $1249.26,  and 
a  bequest  of  |500,  exceeded  the  expenditures  |3649.89. 

The  Custodian's  report  for  the  year  embraced  much  matter  of  importance,  but  nothing 
more  gratifying  that  what  he  expressed  relative  to  the  Teachers'  School  of  Science,  by 
which  name  he  designated  the  school  formed  through  the  liberality  of  Mr.  John  Cum- 
mings.  It  will  be  recollected  that  this  gentleman  in  the  early  part  of  the  previous  year 
presented  to  the  Society  $500  to  be  applied  for  educational  lectures  to  teachers,  to  be 
given  during  the  succeeding  winter.  This  sum  he  afterwards  increased  to  cover  all 
expenses  occurred  in  carrying  out  his  design,  so  that  instead  of  $500  he  really  paid  $950 
to  the  Society.     The  remarks  upon  the  result  are  here  given. 

"  The  Teachers'  School  of  Science  was  conceived  and  has  been  carried  into  successful 
operation  during  the  past  winter,  under  the  patronage  of  Mr.  John  Cummings,  a  well 
known  member  of  the  Society.  Under  the  direction  of  the  Committee  in  charge,  courses 
of  lessons  have  been  given  in  Physical  Geography,  by  Prof.  W.  H.  Niles ;  on  Mineralogy, 
by  W.  C.  Greenough ;  on  Zoology,  by  the  Custodian ;  and  one  is  now  in  progress  by 
Dr.  W.  G.  Farlow,  of  Cambridge,  on  Botany. 

"  Prof.  Niles  delivered  the  first  six.  He  undertook  to  give  the  more  general  features  of 
the  earth's  surface,  and  then  to  apply  these  general  principles  to  the  explanation  of  the 
physical  characteristics  of  Massachusetts.  The  success  of  this  course  may  be  judged  by 
the  average  attendance,  which  was  about  six  hundred   teachers  of  all  grades,  and  by  the 


150  HISTORICAL   SKETCH  OF  THE 

fact  that  the  methods  of  teaching  geography  in  some  of  our  pubHc  schools  are  now  under- 
going a  change  in  fovor  of  the  more  natural  method  introduced  by  him. 

"  The  necessity  of  actually  handling  and  dissecting  s]3ecimens  obliged  the  Committee, 
after  consultation  with  the  masters  of  the  Public  Schools,  to  confine  the  issue  of  tickets  to 
about  two  for  each  school.  This  limited  the  average  attendance  at  the  succeeding  lessons, 
six  on  mineralogy,  eleven  on  zoology,  and  ten  on  botany,  to  about  fifty-five.  Specimens 
were  distributed  and  studied  at  every  lesson,  and  we  know  that  in  many  instances  the 
instruction  was  repeated  at  the  schools.  We  have  without  doubt  excited  an  interest  in 
natural  history,  which  must  speedily  effect  a  marked  improvement  in  the  system  of  public 
instruction. 

"  The  lectures  of  the  first  course  by  Professor  Niles  were  given  in  the  commodious  hall 
of  the  Institute  of  Technology,  the  others  in  the  lecture  room  of  the  Society.  The  mate- 
rials for  the  course  of  zoology  were  largely  furnished  by  Prof  S.  F.  Baird,  United  States 
Commissioner  of  Fisheries,  and  those  of  the  botanical  course  l)y  Prof.  Asa  Gray,  from  the 
Botanic  Garden  at  Cambridge. 

"  The  expenses  of  the  Society  in  connection  with  these  lectures  were  but  trifling,  and  it 
received  donations  incidental  to  their  delivery  of  considerable  value.  Among  these  were 
a  full  suite  of  the  marine  animals  of  Wood's  Holl,  a  full  and  complete  collection  of  the 
fauna  of  the  southern  coast  of  Massachusetts,  and  also  a  complete  collection  of  the  marine 
animals  of  the  coast  of  Maine.  These  collections  were  purchased  for  the  Teachers'  School 
of  Science  by  Mr.  Cummings,  but  as  the  duplicates  were  sufficient  for  the  distribution  at 
the  schools,  a  series  from  all  of  them  was  first  selected  for  the  Museum  to  be  the  property 
of  the  Society.  Many  of  the  species  thus  obtained  were  not  before  in  the  cabinet.  The 
visit  of  the  Custodian  to  Wood's  Holl  to  procure  the  specimens  required  for  the  school, 
enabled  him  fortunately  to  procure  a  complete  set  of  the  skins  of  sharks,  rays,  skates  and 
other  large  fishes,  which  were  collected  by  the  vessels  and  the  men  in  the  employ  of  the 
U.  S.  Commissioner  of  Fisheries." 

The  Custodian,  in  addition  to  what  has  been  given  above,  stated  that  at  his  solicitation 
Mr.  Charles  J.  Sprague  had  generously  given  two  hundred  dollars  towards  preparing  the 
skins  mentioned  above  for  the  New  England  collection. 

The  rearrangement  of  the  Museum  in  accordance  with  the  plan  adopted  by  the  Society, 
had  been  commenced  by  removing  the  birds  to  the  upper  gallery,  where  suitable  cases  had 
been  prepared  for  their  reception.  As  the  experience  of  the  Society  may  be  of  service 
to  some  who  read  these  pages,  the  statement  of  the  Custodian  concerning  these  cases  is 
given  entire.  "  Extraordinary  precautions  were  taken  to  render  them  absolutely  insect 
tight.  The  lumber  was  very  carefully  selected  and  kept  heated  while  the  work  was  going 
on.  All  joints  were  tongued,  grooved  and  glued.  The  tops,  bottoms  and  sides  were  tniilt 
into  the  plastering,  the  sashes  grooved  and  tongued  and  locked  by  wedge-shaped  bolts. 
The  latter  were  arranged  so  as  to  draw  the  sashes  up  tightly  and  firmly  against  the 
tongues  at  the  top  and  bottom  and  completely  close  the  fronts  of  each  case.  Morse's 
patent  brackets  were  used  to  suspend  the  shelving,  which  hangs  upon  the  wall  and  has  no 
connection  with  the  fronts.  The  success  of  these  precautions  is  shown  by  the  air  tight 
condition  of  the  cases.  By  suddenly  opening  or  closing  a  sash,  one  can  readily  crush  in 
or  burst  out  the  neighboring  glass  panes.     The  resistance  of  the  air  is  so  great  that  it  has 


BOSTON   SOCIETY   OF  NATURAL   HISTORY.  151 

to  be  overcome  by  a  steady  slow  pressure.     The  plan  was  similar  to  one  adopted  in  the 
Smithsonian  Institution  and  was  recommended  by  Professor  Baird." 

The  Custodian  reported  that  the  effort  to  free  the  Ornithological  collection  from  the 
further  ravages  of  Anthreni  had  been  successful.  Some  of  the  birds  had  been  so  badly 
affected  as  to  require  their  being  operated  upon  over  twenty-five  times  before  they  were 
entirely  freed  from  the  pests. 

In  the  Conchological  department  much  work  had  been  done  by  Dr.  P.  P.  Carpenter, 
and  by  exchange  with  him  a  valuable  collection  of  British  shells  had  been  procured  for 
the  Society. 

In  the  department  of  Entomology  also  much  work  had  been  done  by  Mr.  Sprague  in 
completing  the  general  collection  of  Coleoptera  placed  in  the  rail  cases  of  the  upper  gal- 
lery. The  specimens  of  Coleoptera  wei-e  mentioned  as  numbering  about  10,000,  and  are 
in  the  improved  boxes  adopted  by  the  Council. 

The  Mineralogical  department  had  received  by  donation  from  Mr.  F.  Alger,  the  large 
specimens  of  bei-yl  which  have  since  occupied  the  window  recesses  in  the  hall  of  entrance 
to  the  Museum,  exciting  the  interest  of  beholders.  * 

The  Geological  department  had  been  enriched  by  the  presentation  on  the  part  of  the 
Technological  Institute  of  the  magnificent  mass  of  hematite  iron  ore  and  jasper  which 
may  be  seen  with  the  beryls  above  mentioned  in  the  hall  of  the  Museum.  From  Mr.  L.  S. 
Burbank  a  series  of  specimens  had  been  received  illustrative  of  a  paper  by  him  upon  the 
Eozoon  canadense,  from  Dr.  S.  Kneeland  some  lavas,  and  from  Mr.  Thomas  T.  Bouv^  a  set 
of  polished  marbles. 

The  other  collections  were  mentioned  as  in  fair  condition.  Much  work  was  constantly 
required  upon  many  of  them  in  consequence  of  defective  cases. 

Of  the  publications  two  quarterly  parts  of  the  fourteenth  volume  of  the  Proceedings 
had  been  issued,  and  four  articles  of  the  Memoirs. 

The  Library  had  received  424  volumes,  9-43  parts  of  volumes,  268  pam^jhlets  and  32 
maps  and  charts. 

There  had  been  eighteen  genei-al  meetings  with  an  average  attandance  of  thirty-two  per- 
sons, nine  of  the  section  of  Microscopy  with  an  average  of  ten,  and  eight  of  the  section  of 
Entomology  with  an  average  of  eleven.  Six  Corresponding  and  thirty-four  Resident  Mem- 
bers had  been  elected.  There  had  been  eighty-two  communications,  of  which  seventeen 
were  before  the  Entomological  section  and  twelve  before  the  Microscopical  section. 

Previous  to  the  election  of  officers,  the  department  of  Geology  and  Minerals  was  divided, 
and  at  the  election  the  following  members  were  chosen  on  the  respective  committees: 
Geology ;  William  H.  Niles,  William  T.  Brigham  and  Thomas  T.  Bouve ; — Minerals  ; 
Thomas  T.  Bouve,  Charles  T.  Jackson,  M.  D.,  and  L.  S.  Burbank.  The  only  other  change 
made  at  the  election  was  in  substituting  Dr.  Samuel  Kneeland  in  place  of  Mr.  J.  A.  Allen 
on  the  Committee  for  Fishes  and  Reptiles. 

Leave  of  absence  was  granted  in  June  to  the  Custodian  for  one  year,  his  salary  to  be 
relinquished  until  his  return  to  the  duties  of  his  office.  He  wished  to  visit  Europe  and 
make  himself  acquainted  with  its  museums  and  men  of  science. 

WalheT  Prizes.     In  June   the  Council  awarded  the  first  prize  of  one  hundred  dollars 


152  HISTORICAL   SKETCH    OF   THE 

to  E.  D.  Coj)e,  and  the  second  of  fifty  dollars  to  Benjamin  G.  Ferris,  for  their  competitive 
essays  on  "The  Darwinian  Question;  its  bearing  on  the  Development  of  Animal  Life." 

In  August  of  this  year,  the  Council  passed  votes  implying  some  action  on  the  part  of 
members  not  entirely  satisflictory,  and  at  the  same  time  defining  limits  for  the  future,  viz. : 

All  donations  shall  be  submitted  to  the  Committees  of  departments,  before  final  depo- 
sition. 

All  work  rooms  in  use  by  Committees  are  to  be  regarded  as  private  and  shall  not  be 
exposed  to  intrusion  except  by  members  of  the  Council. 

In  September,  Prof.  Shaler  proposed  that  notices  of  each  meeting  be  mailed  to  mem- 
bers designating  the  subjects  that  would  be  brought  before  it,  hoping  this  might  lead  to 
better  attendance.  Before  this  time  simple  notice  of  other  meetings  had  been  published 
in  two  daily  papers.     The  suggestion  of  Pi'of.  Shaler  was  approved  and  adopted. 

In  October,  the  Council,  in  view  of  the  fact  that  the  City  Government  did  not  furnish 
regularly  such  police  officers  as  were  necessary  on  public  days,  j^assed  the  following  vote : 

"  That  in  consequence  of  injuries  done  the  Society's  building  and  collection  by  visitors, 
the  Museum  will  be' closed  to  the  public  after  October  19th,  until  measures  can  be  taken  to 
properly  protect  the  property ;  and  the  Secretary  is  instructed  to  advertise  the  same  in 
six  daily  papers  for  one  week."  This  determined  action  led  to  officers  being  furnished  for 
a  while  satisfactory  to  the  Society. 

During  the  summer  of  the  year,  there  had  been  three  field  excursions  of  the  members 
of  the  Entomological  section,  resulting  in  their  obtaining  a  large  collection  of  specimens. 
The  places  visited  were  first  Mattapan  and  vicinity,  second  Peabod}-,  and  third,  Waltham 
and  Waverly. 

1873.  The  Museum  of  the  Society  was  closed  to  the  public  on  the  first  day  of  March, 
because  the  police  officers  had  ceased  to  attend.  This  led  to  an  interview  on  the  part  of 
the  President,  with  the  Mayor  and  Chief  of  Police,  resulting  in  a  promise  on  their  part 
that  officers  should  be  present  on  public  days. 

At  the  annual  meeting  in  May,  in  the  absence  of  the  Custodian  abroad,  the  Secre- 
tary, Mr.  Burgess,  presented  the  yearly  Report  upon  the  condition  and  operations  of  the 
Society.     From  this  is  given  the  following  abstract. 

During  the  year,  two  Honorary,  one  Corresponding,  and  twenty  Resident  Members  had 
been  elected. 

There  had  been  eighteen  general  meetings  of  the  Society,  six  of  the  section  of  Ento- 
mology, and  six  of  the  sectioii  of  Microscopy.  The  average  attendance  at  the  general 
meetings  had  been  twenty-five,  showing  perhaps  a  diminished  interest  in  them. 

There  had  been  four  courses  of  Lowell  Lectures  given  under  the  direction  of  the  Society, 
and  a  fifth  was  in  progress.  The  first  was  upon  ''  The  Principles  of  Zoiilogy,"  by  Prof 
Edward  S.  Morse,  and  had  an  average  audience  of  sixty  persons ;  the  second  upon  "  Min- 
eralogy," by  Mr.  L.  S.  Burbank,  and  had  an  average  audience  of  forty  persons ;  the  third 
upon  "  Evenings  with  the  Microscope,"  by  the  Rev.  E.  C.  Bolles,  and  had  an  average  audi- 
ence of  two  hundred  and  fifty,  and  the  fourth  on  "  Chemical  and  Physical  Geology,"  by 
Prof.  T.  Sterry  Hunt,  and  had  an  average  attendance  of  one  hundi-ed  and  fifty.  The  fifth 
course  by  Mr.  B.  Waterhouse  Hawkins,  upon  '■'  Comparative  Anatomy,"  so  tar  as  they  had 
progressed,  had  had  an  average  attendance  of  fifty. 

The  Teachers'  School  of  Science  was  necessarily  suspended,  much  to  the  regret  of  a 
great  number  who  desired  to  avail  themselves  of  its  privileges.     The  publications  had 


BOSTON"  SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  153 

been  satisftictory.     Two  numbers  of  the  Memoirs  and  two  parts  of  the  Proceedings  had 
been  issued. 

The  additions  to  the  Library  during  the  year  had  been  277  volumes,  852  parts  of  vol- 
umes, 189  pamphlets  aiid  20  maps  and  charts. 

In  the  Museum  the  necessary  alterations  in  the  cases  had  progressed  as  flist  as  regard  to 
financial  considerations  warranted.  New  and  admirable  ones  for  the  reception  of  the  valu- 
able Herbarium  presented  by  John  Amory  Lowell,  Esq.,  had  been  made  and  were  in  use. 

The  change  in  the  location  of  the  collections  of  the  various  departments  so  as  to  brino- 
them  in  the  designed  relation  to  each  other  had  proceeded  steadily,  ami  at  this  time  the 
work  was  so  far  accomplished  as  to  enable  visitors  to  the  galleries,  by  entering  the  first 
and  passing  round  to  the  right,  to  study  the  zoological  collection  in  order,  beginning  with 
the  sponges  and  passing  to  the  higher  groups. 

A  beginning  had  been  made  on  a  comprehensive  system  of  labelling,  a  great  step 
towards  publishing  a  visitors'  catalogue,  so  important  as  a  means  of  instruction. 

Much  work  had  been  done  on  the  collections  during  the  year  by  Messrs.  Eraerton  and 
Sprague,  the  former  having  labelled  over  2,000  bottles  of  Crustacea  and  many  of  New 
England  worms  and  radiates,  and  the  latter  being  engaged  nearly  all  the  year  on  insects. 
Dr.  Carpenter  had  likewise  done  much  in  studying  our  Mollusca  and  in  labelling  them. 
They  were  sent  to  him  at  Montreal  for  identification. 

Valuable  donations  had  been  received  from  many  parties,  among  them  birds  from  the 
Smithsonian  Listitution,  insects  from  Mr.  Sanborn  and  Mr.  Ernest  Papendiek,  a  fine  fossil 
tree  from  the  Joggins  Mine,  Nova  Scotia,  presented  by  the  Institute  of  Technology  and  a 
beautiful  Japanese  crystal  globe  by  Mr.  Thomas  Gaffield. 

The  collection  of  Minerals  had  been  much  enriched  by  a  large  and  valuable  addition 
made  to  it  by  purchase  from  Dr.  Beadle  of  Philadelphia.  The  expense  was  but  trifling  to 
the  Society,  as  two  members  paid  a  large  sum  towards  the  purchase,  and  considerable 
money  was  received  from  the  sale  of  duplicates. 

The  number  of  visitors  to  the  Museum  seemed  steadily  to  increase,  schools  often  coming 
with  their  teachers.  It  was  open  to  the  public  daily  during  the  Peace  Jubilee,  so  called, 
when  the  City  provided  special  police  for  its  protection. 

The  Treasurer's  account  for  the  year  exhibited  an  excess  of  receipts  over  expenditures 
of  $1,342.98.  The  Society  suffered  a  loss  of  $6,280  from  the  great  fire  of  November, 
1872,  it  having  held  stocks  in  insurance  companies  that  became  worthless.  It  was  obliged 
to  pay  also  assessments  to  the  amount  of  $2,346,  levied  by  the  companies. 

The  changes  made  in  the  officers  at  the  election  were  as  follows:  John  Cummings  was 
chosen  on  the  Committee  of  the  department  of  Geology,  from  which  William  T.  Brigham 
and  Thomas  T.  Bouve  resigned.  J.  Henry  Blake  was  chosen  on  the  Committee  of  Mol- 
lusks  in  place  of  John  Cummings,  transferred  to  Committee  on  Geology.  Richard  Bliss, 
Jr.,  was  chosen  on  the  Committee  for  Fishes  and  Reptiles  in  place  of  Dr.  D.  Humphreys 
Storer  resigned.  J.  H.  Emerton  was  chosen  on  the  Committee  for  Mammals  in  place  of 
Thomas  Waterman,  Jr.,  M.  D.,  resigned.  Samuel  H.  Scudder  was  chosen  on  the  Committee 
for  Insects  in  place  of  F.  G.  Sanborn. 

In  June  of  this  year  the  gallery  was  added,  with  the  cases,  to  the  rear  library  apartment. 
The  want  of  more  room  for  books  had  been  long  felt  but  was  now  indispensable.  A  case 
was  also  built  for  the  reception  of  the  moose  which  had  been  procured  for  the  Society. 


154  HISTORICAL   SKETCH   OF  THE 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Council  it  was  voted  to  present  the  specimens  belonging  to  the 
Society  which  were  formerly  in  the  Ethnological  department  to  the  Peabody  Museum. 

Walker  Prizes.  The  first  prize  of  sixty  dollars  was  awarded  in  June  to  Dr.  A.  S.  Pack- 
ard, Jr.,  for  an  essay  by  him  on  the  subject  proposed  for  this  year  "  On  the  development 
and  transformations  of  the  common  house-fly." 

The  Grand  Honorary  Pi'ize  was  awarded  this  year  by  the  Council  to  Alexander  Agassiz 
for  his  investigations  in  the  Embryology.  Geographical  Distribution,  and  Natui'al  History  of 
the  Echinoderms,  and  the  sum  of  one  thousand  dollars,  the  highest  amount  the  Council 
was  authorized  to  grant,  appropriated  for  the  purpose. 

In  November,  Mr.  William  T.  Brigham  offered  to  present  to  the  Society  the  casts  of  the 
busts  of  several  naturalists,  if  it  would  pay  the  cost  of  transportation  from  Eui'ope.  The 
offer  w\as  accepted  with  thanks  ;  these  busts,  being  those  of  Cuvier,  A.  L.  de  Jussieu, 
Adrian  de  Jussieu,  Buffon,  Linnteus,  and  Charles  Girard,  were  subsequently  received  and 
now  adorn  the  main  hall  of  the  Museum. 

A  meeting  of  the  Council  was  called  by  the  President  on  December  15th.  Upon  assem- 
bling, he  addressed  the  members,  stating  that  in  view  of  the  great  calamity  that  had  befal- 
len the  community  and  particularly  upon  all  interested  in  scientific  culture  and  progress, 
by  the  death  of  our  distinguished  member  Louis  Agassiz,  he  had  thought  it  well  that  they 
should  come  together  and  take  such  immediate  action  in  relation  thereto,  as  might  seem 
fitting  upon  the  occasion.  He  then  recommended  as  a  manifestation  of  respect  to  the 
memory  of  our  honored  associate,  that  the  usual  second  monthly  meeting  be  omitted  on 
the  next  Wednesday  evening  and  that  we  communicate  to  the  family  of  Professor  Agassiz 
our  wish  to  be  present  at  his  obsequies  if  this  shoidd  be  agreeable  to  them.  The  pro- 
posed action  was  taken. 

Louis  Agassiz. 

1874.  The  meeting  of  the  Society  on  January  7th  partook  largely  of  a  memorial  char- 
acter, the  proceedings  generally  relating  to  the  death  of  our  distinguished  member.  Prof. 
Louis  Agassiz.  After  calling  the  members  to  order,  President  Bouve  addressed  them  as 
follows : 

Since  we  last  met  an  event  has  occurred  that  has  brought  deep  sorrow  to  our  hearts, 
and  indeed  moved  with  grief  those  of  the  whole  community ;  for  whilst  in  the  death  of 
the  gi'cat  naturalist  we  have  lost  a  distinguished  Honorary  Member,  a  pioneer  in  the  paths 
we  love  to  tread,  one  whose  name  deservedly  ranks  high  among  the  most  illustrious  of 
those  who  have  explored  the  world  of  matter  and  of  life,  the  great  body  of  the  commim- 
ity  has  lost  one  whom  it  has  long  and  justly  i^egarded  as  pre-eminently  the  great  teacher 
in  science,  the  man  of  all  men,  who  inspired  the  love  of  knowledge,  and  who  was  never 
weary  in  his  ettbrts  to  impart  the  best  he  knew  to  every  seeking  soul. 

Truly  all  alike,  learned  or  unlearned,  high  in  attainments  and  position,  or  only  humble 
seekers  of  truth,  may  well  weep  the  loss  of  hun,  whose  presence  alone  was  to  everybody 
an  inspiration. 

To  those  of  us  who  have  been  in  any  degree  sharers  in  his  labors,  or  companions  in  lit- 
erary or  scientific  circles,  his  loss  is  irreparable. 


BOSTON  SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  155 

The  fine  physical  form,  the  countenance  ever  beaming  with  feeling  and  intelligence,  the 
expressive  utterances,  and  above  all,  that  subtle  influence  which  came  from  the  whole 
being  of  the  man,  alas !  that  these  are  now  only  mattei's  of  memory. 

But  it  is  not  for  me  to  dwell  upon  the  event  I  have  alluded  to.  For  a  fit  expression  of 
the  loss  sustained  by  the  Society,  we  have  the  privilege  of  looking  to  one  whose  valuable 
services  to  it  in  its  earlier  days  we  have  not  forgotten,  and  who  was  one  of  the  first  among 
scientific  men  to  welcome  to  our  shores  and  our  companionship  the  great  naturalist.  I 
need  not  say  I  refer  to  our  former  President,  Mr.  George  B.  Emerson,  whom  I  now  have 
the  pleasure  to  introduce  to  you. 

Upon  the  close  of  the  President's  remarks,  Mr.  George  B.  Emerson  gave  an  interesting 
address,  a  large  part  of  which  is  here  presented. 

I  thank  you,  Mr.  President,  for  the  great  honor  you  do  me  by  inviting  me  to  say  some- 
thing before,  and  in  behalf  of,  your  Society,  in  commemoration  of  the  most  distinguished 
naturalist  that  has  appeared  among  us.  You  know  how  reluctantly  I  consented  to  speak, 
and  I  feel  how  inadequately  I  shall  be  able  to  represent  the  Society.  Yet  I  cannot  but 
admit  that  there  is  some  apparent  propriety  in  your  request.  I  was  one  of  those  who 
fonned  this  Society.  All  the  others  who  first  met,  except  one,  are  gone ;  Dr.  B.  D. 
Greene,  Dr.  J.  Ware,  F.  C.  Gray  and  the  rest.  My  old  friend,  Dr.  Walter  Channing, 
alone,  in  whose  office  most  of  the  first  meetings  were  held,  is  still  living.  Moreover,  while 
I  was  in  the  seat  you  now  occupy,  it  was  agreed  by  my  associates  that  it  was  very  proper 
and  desirable  that  a  survey  of  the  State,  botanical  and  zoological,  should  be  made,  to 
complete  that  begun  by  Prof  Hitchcock  in  Geology.  At  their  request  I  presented  to  Gov. 
Everett  a  memorial  sua-srestingr  this. 

Our  suggestion  was  graciously  received.  Gov.  Everett  brought  the  subject  before  the 
Legislature,  in  which  some  friends  of  natural  history  in  the  House  of  Representatives  had 
already  been  acting  toward  the  same  end  ;  an  appropriation  was  made,  and  he  was  author- 
ized to  appoint  a  commission  for  that  purpose.  On  that  commission  four  members  of  this 
Society  were  placed ;  the  reports  of  three  of  whom,  Dr.  Harris,  Dr.  Gould  and  Dr.  Storer, 
have  been,  and  still  continue  to  be,  considered  of  signal  and  permanent  value,  and  Mr. 
Agassiz  himself  regarded  them  as  among  the  best  reports  ever  made.  It  has  given  and 
still  gives  me  the  greatest  satisfaction  to  know  that  the  Society  has  been  continually  going 
forward,  and  that  it  is  now  more  prosperous  than  ever. 

A  little  more  than  twenty-seven  years  ago,  as  I  was  sitting  in  my  study,  a  message 
came  to  me  that  two  gentleman  desired  to  see  me.  They  were  immediately  admitted,  and 
Dr.  Gould  introduced  me  to  Louis  Agassiz.  His  noble  presence,  the  genial  expression  of 
his  face,  his  beaming  eye  and  earnest,  natural  voice,  at  once  gained  me,  and  I  responded 
cordially  to  his  introduction.  He  said,  "  I  have  come  to  see  you,  because  Dr.  Gould  tells 
me  that  you  know  the  trees  of  Massachusetts  ;  I  wish  to  be  made  acquainted  with  the 
Carya.  I  have  found  the  leaves  and  fruit  of  several  species  in  the  Jura  Mountains,  where 
they  were  deposited  when  those  mountains  were  formed ;  but,  since  that  time,  none  have 
been  found  living  in  Europe.     I  want  to  know  them  as  they  are  now  growing." 

I  told  him  that  I  knew  all  the  species  found  in  New  England,  and  should  be  glad  to 
show  them  to  him.  "But  I  have,"  I  said,  "presently  to  begin  my  morning's  work.  If 
you  will  let  me  call  on  you  immediately  after  dinner,  I  shall  be  glad  to  take  you  to  them." 


156  HISTORICAL  SKETCH   OF  THE 

At  the  time  fixed,  I  called  on  him  at  his  lodgings  and  took  him,  in  my  chaise,  first  to 
Parker's  Hill,  where  one  species  of  hickory  grew,  then  through  Brookline,  Brighton  and 
Cambridge,  where  two  others  were  found,  and  to  Chelsea,  where  a  fourth,  and  one  that 
might  be  a  variety,  were  growing.  I  pointed  out  the  characteristics  of  each  species  in 
growth,  branching,  bark,  fruit  and  leaves,  and  esjiecially  in  the  buds.  He  listened  with 
the  most  captivating  attention,  and  expressed  surprise  at  my  dwelling  upon  the  peculiari- 
ties of  the  Ijuds.  ''  I  have  never  known  the  buds  to  be  spoken  of  as  characteristic,"  said 
he  ;  '•  that  is  new  to  me." 

We  drove  on  to  Chelsea  Beach,  which  stretches  off  several  miles,  —  apparently  without 
end,  —  and,  as  the  tide  was  very  low,  was  then  at  least  a  quarter  of  a  mile  wide.  He  was 
charmed  with  everything,  expressing  his  pleasure  with  all  the  earnestness  of  a  happy 
child,  hardly  able  to  restrain  himself  in  his  admiration  and  delight.  He  told  me  that  he 
had  never  before  been  on  a  sea-beach,  but  that  he  was  familiar  with  the  undulations  and 
wave  marks  on  the  old  beaches  laid  open  in  the  Jura  Mountains. 

I  need  not  say  what  a  pleasant  drive  this  was.  I  had  long  felt  great  interest  in  various 
departments  of  Natural  History,  but  had  been  so  fully  occupied  with  my  own  duties,  as  a 
teacher,  that  I  had  been  able  to  indulge  myself  fully,  and  that  for  a  small  part  of  the  year, 
in  one  only.  Here  was  a  companion  who  was  intimately  acqviainted  with  all,  and  with  the 
most  distinguished  men  who  had  been  advancing  them,  and  who  was  ready  and  happy  to 
communicate  wealth  of  information  ujjon  every  point  1  could  ask  about. 

The  news  of  the  death  of  Agassiz  caused  a  throb  of  anguish  in  millions  of  hearts.  Such 
a  death  is  a  loss  to  mankind.  What  death  among  kings  or  princes  in  the  Old  World,  or 
among  the  aspirants  for  power,  or  the  possessors  of  wealth,  in  the  New,  could  produce 
such  deep-felt  regret  ? 

He  is  gone.  We  shall  see  his  benignant  face  and  hear  his  winning  voice  no  more  ;  but 
we  have  before  us  his  example  and  his  works.  Let  us  dwell,  for  a  few  moments,  on  some 
features  in  his  life  and  character,  as  an  inspii-ation  and  a  guide,  especially  to  those  who 
mean  to  devote  their  leisure,  or  their  life,  to  natural  history,  or  to  the  great  work  of 
teaching  !  What  a  change  has  taken  place,  in  the  whole  civilized  world,  and  especially  in 
this  country,  in  men's  estimation  of  the  value  and  interest  of  these  pursuits,  since  he 
began  his  studies.     To  whom  is  that  change  more  due  than  to  Agassiz? 

He  was  endowed  by  nature  with  exti*aordinary  gifts.  His  fascinating  eye,  his  genial 
smile,  his  kindlmess  and  ready  sympathy,  his  generous  earnestness,  his  simplicity  and  ab- 
sence of  pretension,  his  transparent  sincerity ; — these  account  for  his  natural  eloquence 
and  persuasiveness  of  speech,  his  influence  as  a  man,  and  his  attraction  and  power  as  a 
teacher.  For  the  development  and  perfecting  of  many  of  his  highest  and  most  estimable 
qualities  of  mind  and  character,  Mr.  Agassiz  was  doubtless  indebted  to  his  noble  mother, 
who,  judging  from  every  thing  we  can  learn,  was  a  veiy  rare  and  remarkable  woman. 
To  the  quiet,  homely,  household  duties,  for  which  the  Swiss  women  are  distinguished,  she 
added  unconsciously,  very  uncommon  mental  endowments,  which  she  wisely  cultivated  by 
extensive  reading  of  the  best  authors,  and  by  conversation  with  the  most  intelligent  per- 
sons. 

Trained  by  such  a  mother,  Agassiz  grew  up  in  the  l)elief  of  a  Creator,  an  infinite  and 
all-wise  Intelligence,  Author  and  Governor  of  all   things.     He  Avas  sincerely  and  humbly 


BOSTON   SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  157 

religious.  During  his  whole  life,  while  exploring  every  secret  of  animal  structure,  he  saw 
such  wonderful  consistency  in  every  part,  that  he  never  for  a  moment  doubted  that  all 
were  parts  of  one  vast  plan,  the  work  of  one  infinite,  all-comprehending  Thinker.  He 
saw  no  place  for  accident,  none  for  blind,  unthinking,  brute  or  vegetable  selection. 
Though  he  was  a  man  of  the  rarest  inteUect,  he  was  never  ashamed  to  look  upwards  and 
recognize  an  infinitely  higher  and  more  comprehensive  Intellect  above  him. 

Ao-assiz's  mother-tono'ue  was  French,  but  both  this  and  German  were  in  common  use 
in  the  Pays  de  Vaud.  He  lived,  for  years  afterwards,  in  several  parts  of  Germany,  and 
thus  attained,  without  special  study,  the  rich  language  which  we  Americans  have  to  give 
so  much  time  to  acquire ;  and  he  lived,  long,  a  studious  and  laborious  life  in  Paris,  where 
he  became  intimately  acquainted  with  Cuvier  and  other  distinguished  naturalists,  and  per- 
fectly familiar  with  the  French  language  in  its  best  form.  More  than  once,  when  he  was 
putting  his  note-book  into  his  pocket,  he  told  me  he  knew  not  whether  he  had  made  his 
notes  in  German  or  in  Fi-ench. 

Agassiz's  universality  of  study  and  thought  suggest  a  precious  lesson.  It  is  never  safe 
to  give  one's  self  entirely  to  one  study  or  to  one  course  of  thought.  The  full  powers  of 
the  mind  cannot  so  be  developed.  Nature  is  infinite ;  and  a  small  part  of  one  kingdom 
cannot  be  understood,  however  carefully  studied,  without  some  knowledge  of  the  I'est. 

Agassiz  took  a  large,  comprehensive  view  of  the  whole  field  of  natural  history ;  his 
thorough  education  and  intimate  acquaintance  with  the  works  of  the  highest  men  m  sev- 
eral walks,  Von  Martins,  Cuvier,  Humboldt,  and  others,  made  it  possible  for  him  to  do  it, 
and  he  then  fixed  on  certain  departments,  and,  for  the  time,  he  gave  himself  entirely  to 
one. 

Whenever  Mr.  Agassiz  undertook  a  special  work,  he  prepared  himself  for  it  by  a  care- 
ful study  of  whatever  had  been  done  in  that  particular  line  by  all  others.  He  had  seen, 
everywhere,  indications  of  the  action  of  ice.  He  determined  to  investigate.  He  began 
by  reading  all  he  could  find  upon  the  subject,  and  then  set  himself  to  observe,  patiently 
and  carefully,  what  was  taking  place  in  the  glaciers  themselves.  He  gave  the  leisure  of 
several  years  to  this  examination,  and  then  felt  himself  ready  to  observe  the  eftects  of 
similar  action  in  former  ages  and  distant  regions.  The  opinions  of  such  an  observer,  after 
such  a  preparation,  cannot  be  without  authority  and  value ;  and  it  is  not  surprising  that 
he  should  not  himself  have  been  willing  to  yield  them  to  those  of  others  who  had  never 
given  the  same  study  to  the  subject. 

His  example  as  a  teacher  has  been  of  inestimable  value,  as  showing  the  importance  of 
the  best  and  largest  possible  preparation,  teaching  by  things  really  existing  and  not  by 
books,  opening  the  eye  to  the  richness  and  beauty  of  nature,  showing  that  there  is  no 
spot,  from  the  bai'ren  sea-beach  to  the  top  of  the  mountain,  which  does  not  present  ol)jects 
attractive  to  the  youngest  beginner,  and  worthy  of,  and  rewarding,  the  careful  considera- 
tion of  the  highest  intellect. 

In  1855,  with  the  aid  of  Mrs.  Agassiz,  who,  from  the  beginning,  did  a  great  deal  of  the 
work,  Mr.  Agassiz  opened  a  school  for  young  ladies.  For  this  he  was,  in  all  respects, 
admirably  well  qualified.  The  charm  of  his  manner,  his  perfect  simplicity,  sincerity  and 
warm-heartedness,  attracted  every  pupil,  and  won  her  respect,  love  and  admiration.  He 
knew,  almost  instinctively,  what  we  teachers  have  to  learn  by  degrees,  that  we  cannot 


158  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 

really  attract,  control  and  lead  a  child,  and  help  to  form  his  habits  and  character,  without 
first  loving  him ;  that  nothing  in  the  world  is  so  jDOwerful  as  real  disinterested  affection. 
lie  gave,  hunself,  by  lectures  most  carefidly  prepared,  an  hour's  instruction,  real  instruc- 
tion, every  day.  All  his  pupils  retain  their  respect  and  love  for  him,  and  some  keep  the 
notes  they  made  of  his  talks,  and  read  them  with  delight.  The  school  was  continued  for 
seven  yeai's,  with  great  success,  attracting  pupils  from  distant  parts  of  the  country. 

One  of  the  secrets  of  his  success  as  a  teacher  was,  that  he  brought  in  nature  to  teach  for 
him.  The  young  ladies  of  a  large  school  were  amused  at  his  simplicity  in  putting  a  grass- 
hopper into  the  hand  of  each,  as  he  came  into  the  hall ;  but  they  were  filled  with  surprise 
and  delight,  as  he  explained  the  structure  of  the  insect  before  them,  and  a  sigh  of  disap- 
pointment escaped  from  most  of  them  when  the  lesson,  of  more  than  an  hour,  closed.  He 
had  opened  their  eyes  to  see  the  beauty  of  the  wonderful  make  of  one  of  the  least  of  God's 
creatures.  What  a  lesson  was  this  to  young  women  preparing  to  be  teachers  in  the  public 
schools  of  our  Commonwealth,  showing  that  in  every  field  might  be  found  objects  to 
excite,  and,  well  explained,  to  answer  the  questions,  what  ?  and  how  ?  and  why  ?  which 
children  will  always  be  asking. 

He  had  all  the  elements  necessary  to  an  eloquent  teacher :  voice,  look  and  manner,  that 
instantly  attracted  attention  ;  an  inexhaustible  flow  of  language,  always  expressive  of  rich 
thoughts,  strong  common  sense,  a  thorough  knowledge  of  all  the  subjects  on  which  he 
desired  to  speak,  a  sympathy  with  others  so  strong  that  it  became  magnetic,  and  a  feeling 
of  the  value  of  what  he  had  to  say,  which  became  and  created  enthusiasm.  He  thus  held 
the  attention  of  his  audience,  not  only  instructing  and  persuading  them,  but  converting 
them  into  interested  and  admiring  fellow  students. 

The  advent  of  Agassiz  is  to  be  considered  a  most  important  event  in  the  Natural  His- 
tory of  the  country.  The  example  of  his  character,  his  disinterestedness,  his  consecration 
to  science,  his  readiness  to  oblige  even  the  humblest  and  most  modest,  his  superiority  to 
self-interest,  his  sincerity  and  absence  of  all  pretension,  his  enthusiasm  in  all  that  is  noble 
—  all  these  recommended  not  only  him,  but  the  science  he  professed.  Never  was  a  life  more 
richly  filled  with  study,  work,  thought ;  and  all  was  consecrated,  not  to  the  benefit  of 
himself,  but  to  the  promotion  of  science  for  the  good  of  his  fellow  creatures. 

For  auany  years  Mr.  Agassiz  has  seemed  to  live  only  for  the  advancement  of  natural 
history,  by  the  building  up  of  his  Museum,  for  which  he  had  collected  material,  of  the 
greatest  possible  diversity,  which  would,  propei'ly  cared  for  and  arranged,  form  a  Museum 
superior  in  numbers  and  variety  to  any  similar  collection  in  the  world.  Shall  this  great 
work  be  allowed  to  fail  ? 

Let  every  person  who  honors  the  name  of  Agassiz,  say  No  !  Let  every  one  who  regrets 
that  the  great  main  support  of  the  noble  structure  is  taken  away,  resolve  that  it  shall  not 
fail,  but  that,  so  far  as  depends  on  him  and  what  he  can  do,  it  sliall  go  on  and  he 
hullt  and  filled,  and  stand  firm,  a  glorious  temple  of  science  forever. 

At  the  conclusion  of  Mr.  Emerson's  address  Rev.  Dr.  R.  C.  Waterston  in  response  to 
an  invitation  from  the  chair,  spoke  as  follows  of  Prof.  Agassiz's  connection  with  the  Cen- 
tennial Anniversary  of  the  l)irth  of  Humboldt : 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History,  June,  1869,  it  was  moved  and 
voted  that  a  celebration   of  the  Centennial  Anniversary  of  the   birth   of  Alexander  von 


BOSTON  SOCIETY   OF  NATURAL   HISTORY.  159 

Humboldt,  by  this  Society,  was  highly  desirable.  It  was  also  suggested  that  Professor  Agas- 
siz  be  invited  to  deliver  an  address  upon  the  occasion.  The  invitation  was  extended  to 
Professor  Agassiz  and  accepted.  Various  circumstances  connected  with  that  memorable 
occasion,  at  a  time  like  the  present,  come  to  the  mind  with  peculiar  power. 

In  Professor  Agassiz's  public  address,  his  introductory  remarks  were,  "I  am  invited  to 
an  unwonted  task.  Thus  far  I  have  appeared  before  the  public  only  as  a  teacher  of  nat- 
ural history.  To-day,  for  the  first  time  in  my  life,  I  leave  a  field  in  which  I  am  at  home, 
to  take  upon  myself  the  duties  of  a  biographer." 

Thus  this  Society  had  the  privilege  of  inviting  Professor  Agassiz  to  a  duty  (most  nobly 
fulfilled),  which  without  this  invitation  in  all  probability  he  would  never  have  entered 
upon.  That  being  as  he  himself  expressed  it,  the  first  time  in  his  life  he  had  undertaken 
such  a  task  ;  it  was  also,  as  we  now  know,  destined  to  be  the  last.  This  event  which,  on 
every  account,  had  great  interest,  for  these  reasons  possesses  a  solemn  and  sacred  import. 
That  anniversary  we  would  keep  in  grateful  remembrance,  forming  as  it  does,  in  connec- 
tion with  many  reminiscences,  an  added  and,  may  we  not  say,  an  indissoluble  tie  between 
us  and  him. 

At  the  time  when  the  invitation  was  extended  to  Prof  Agassiz,  he  was  overwhelmed 
with  work ;  while  by  previous  labor,  both  body  and  mind  had  already  been  overtaxed. 
Under  such  circimistances,  it  would  have  appeared  next  to  impossible  for  him  to  comply 
with  the  request  of  the  Society,  yet  so  desirous  was  he  to  meet  their  wishes  that  he  under- 
took the  task. 

On  the  3d  of  July  Prof.  Agassiz  wrote  as  follows : — 

"For  weeks  past  I  have  intended  every  day  to  write  to  you,  but  the  fact  is  that  just 
now  I  have  scarcely  time  to  breathe,  and  with  tlie  sincere  desire  of  accepting  the  invita- 
tion tendered  to  me  through  you,  I  have  been  trying  to  free  myself  in  some  degree  of 
the  tasks  before  me.     It  is  not  so  easy  to  do  this  as  it  seems. 

"  However,  I  write  now  to  say  that  I  will  do  my  best  so  far  as  it  depends  upon  me,  to 
make  the  Anniversary  of  Humboldt  worthy  of  his  memory,  and  serviceable  to  science  in 
the  country.  The  task  will  be  a  difficult,  and  in  some  respects  a  painful,  one  to  me,  none 
the  less  because  of  my  personal  relations  with  him.  But  I  will  do  my  best,  and  I  beg 
you  to  believe  that  the  confidence  placed  in  me  by  those  who  wish  to  make  this  occasion 
a  marked  day,  has  gratified  and  touched  me  deeply. 

"  I  wish  you  would  express  this  sentiment  in  my  behalf,  and  add  that  my  great  cause  of 
hesitation  has  been  the  fear  that  I  might  not  satisfy  the  expectations  of  those  who  have 
thus  honored  me.  Believe  me, 

"  Ever  truly  yours, 

"  Louis  Agassiz." 

In  a  note  dated  July  21st,  he  says,  "  I  have  been  completely  prostrated  this  week." 

Yet  notwithstanding  this  exhaustion  (doubtless  far  beyond  what  was  imagined  by  his 

most  intimate  friends,  and,  added  to  this,  serious  illness  among  the  members  of  his  own 

family,  his  son  leaving  for  Europe,  on  account  of  his  health,  the  very  day  upon  which  the 

address  was  delivered),  Professor  Agassiz  most  conscientiously  devoted  himself  through  the 


160  HISTORICAL  SKETCH    OF  THE 

sultriness  of  an  intensely  hot  mid-summer,  to  the  work  of  preparation.  Few  are  prob- 
ably aware  what  a  mind  like  his  would,  under  such  circumstances,  consider  requisite. 
Nothing  was  to  be  taken  for  granted  ;  not  even  the  memory  of  former  investigations 
would  be  accepted  without  passing  through  the  process  of  examination.  Every  step  was 
to  be  measured,  with  critical  exactness,  through  the  long  progress  of  Humboldt's  scientific 
career. 

Is  there  not  exemplified  in  this  fact,  one  of  the  marked  characteristics  of  Prof.  Agas- 
siz's  mind  ?  Absolute  thoroughness  ;  sifting  every  question  and  princijile  down  to  its  first 
elements ;  tracing  every  thought,  from  its  earliest  germ  through  each  successive  develop- 
ment, until  the  final  result  is  reached. 

In  order  to  secure  freedom  from  all  interrujition  during  these  researches,  he  asked  for  a 
room  at  the  City  Library,  which  was  readily  granted.  Here  he  could  gather  about  him 
papers  and  books,  which  during  his  absence  would  remain  undisturbed.  Mr.  Winsor,  the 
efficient  and  obliging  Superintendent,  tells  me  that  for  more  than  a  month  Prof.  Agassiz 
passed  at  least  three  or  four  days  of  each  week,  from  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning  until 
generally  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  and  that  during  this  time  he  called  for  more  than 
two  hundred  volumes  in  different  languages,  always  desiring  to  read  each  work  as  it  orig- 
inally came  from  the  mind  of  the  author.  Thus  every  work  which  Alexander  von  Hum- 
boldt ever  wrote  passed  under  careful  review ;  not  only  every  volume,  but  every  pam- 
phlet, with  the  exception  of  one,  which  could  not  be  found  in  this  country. 

On  the  4th  of  September  he  wrote  me, 

"  I  have  only  yesterday  finished  gathering  my  materials,  and  have  not  yet  begun  pre- 
paring my  address." 

He  adds  —  "  My  friends  will  never  know  what  anxieties  I  have  to  go  through  on  this 
occasion." 

Six  days  after  this  I  received  the  following : — 

"JSTahant,  Sept.  10th,  1869. 
"My  Dear  Sir: 

"  I  have  succeeded  this  evening  in  bringing  to  a  close  my  draft  of  an  address ;  not 
exactly  as  I  would  like  to  deliver  it,  but  such  as  I  may  be  compelled  to  read  should  the 
occurrences  of  the  day  unfit  me  for  an  extemporized  discourse,  which  I  believe  might  be 
more  effective." 

It  would  thus  appear  that  even  after  the  address  was  wi'itten,  he  hoped  to  give,  not 
what  he  had  embodied  in  manuscript,  Ijut  the  result  of  which  that  would  be  the  basis,  in 
the  form  of  an  extemporized  discourse,  for  which,  as  all  know  from  his  constant  habit  of 
speaking  without  notes,  he  possessed  the  very  highest  qualifications. 

However,  to  meet  every  contingency,  he  adds : — 

"  As  I  go  to-morrow  to  Cambridge,  I  will  try  to  have  my  illegible  manuscript  set  in 
type,  that  I  may  myself  be  aljle  to  read  it.  At  the  same  time  I  shall  see  how  my  dia- 
grams are  progressing,  and  if  satisfactory,  forward  them  at  once  to  the  Music  Hall. 

'•  Very  truly  yours, 

"  L.  Agassiz." 


BOSTON   SOCIETY   OF   NATURAL    HISTORY.  161 

0 

On  the  13th  of  September  he  wrote : — 
"  Dear  Sir  :— 

"  I  hope  I  may  have  a  proof  of  my  address  for  your  reporters  by  the  time  I  reach  Bos- 
ton to-morrow,  which  I  shall  hand  to  you.  My  diagrams  went  to  the  Music  Hall  Saturday 
afternoon,  with  the  palm-branch  worn  on  Humljoldt's  funeral. 

"  The  pen  taken  from  his  desk  the  day  he  died,  and  sent  to  me,  I  shall  bring  myself, 
fearing  it  might  be  lost  if  left  with  bulkier  objects.  Very  truly  yours, 

"  L.  Agassiz." 

Such  were  some  of  the  preparatory  labors  connected  with  the  address  which  was  to  be 
heard  on  that  Centennial  Anniversary  by  literary  and  scientific  men  from  every  part  of  the 
country.  Seldom  h,is  there  been  an  occasion  in  the  history  of  New  England,  which  has 
brought  together  so  brilliant  an  assemblage  of  able  scholars  and  prominent  men  in  every 
department  of  thougl.  t. 

At  the  evening  reception,  Mr.  Ralph  Waldo  Emerson,  in  speaking  of  what  he  termed 
the  "  delightful  address  in  praise  of  Humboldt,"  concentrated  his  estimate  in  this  charac- 
teristic declaration,  "  our  eminent  professor  never  delivered  a  discourse  more  wise,  more 
happy,  or  of  more  varied  power." 

These  words  expressed  the  universal  feeling.  And  the  address,  so  cordially  welcomed 
by  those  who  heard  it,  was  received  when  published  with  equal  favor  on  both  sides  of  the 
Atlantic. 

This  very  day,  I  was  reading  a  letter  by  Sir  Jolui  Herschel  expressing  his  commen- 
dation ;  and  in  the  Life  of  Alexander  von  Humbolt,  edited  by  Professor  Karl  Bruhns, 
director  of  the  observatory  at  Leipzig,  the  address  by  Agassiz  is  referred  to,  both  in  the 
preface,  and  in  the  body  of  the  book.  In  the  latter,  a  lengthy  extract  is  introduced. 
[See  Vol.  n,  pp.  179,  180  and  181.] 

There  were  several  occasions  upon  which  Alexander  von  Humboldt  extended  such 
attention  and  kindness  to  Agassiz,  at  a  time  when  encouragement  was  most  needed,  that 
it  seems  but  an  act  of  justice  and  gratitude  to  recall  them  here.  The  first  was  related  by 
Agassiz  some  fifteen  years  ago,  at  a  meeting  of  the  American  Academy  of  Arts  and 
Sciences,  soon  after  Humboldt's  death. 

"  May  I  be  permitted,"  he  said,  "  to  tell  a  circumstance  personal  to  me  ?  I  was  only 
twenty-four  years  of  age  when  in  Paris,  whither  I  had  gone  with  means  given  me  by  a 
friend,  but  I  was  at  last  about  to  resign  my  studies  from  want  of  ability  to  meet  my 
expenses.  Professor  Mitscherlich  was  then  on  a  visit  in  Paris,  and  I  had  seen  him  in  the 
morning,  when  he  had  asked  me  what  was  the  cause  of  my  depressed  feelings,  and  I  told 
him  I  had  to  go,  for  I  had  nothing  left.  The  next  morning  as  I  was  seated  at  breakfast, 
in  front  of  the  yard  of  the  Hotel,  where  I  lived,  I  saw  the  servant  of  Humboldt  approach. 
He  handed  me  a  note,  saying  there  was  no  answer  and  disappeared.  I  opened  the  note, 
and  I  see  it  now  as  distinctly  as  if  I  held  the  paper  in  my  hand.  It  said: 
'My  Friend:— 

'  I  hear  that  you  intend  leaving  Paris  in  consequence  of  some  embarrassments.  This 
shall  not  be.  I  wish  you  to  remain  here  as  long  as  the  object  for  which  you  came  is  not 
accomplished.  I  enclose  you  a  check  of  £50.  It  is  a  loan  which  you  may  repay  when 
you  can.'  " 


162  HISTORICAL   SKETCH  OF  THE 

That  one  act  of  Humboldt,  at  the  turnmg  point  in  the  Hfe  of  Agassiz,  may  have  affected 
the  whole  course  of  his  active  careei-.  If  Sir  Humphrey  Davy  could  say  "  My  best  dis- 
covery was  Michael  Faraday,' ' —  what  shall  we  say  of  this  discriminating  instance  of  gen- 
erous encouragement,  which  perhaps  gave  to  us  Agassiz  as  a  man  of  science. 

In  the  address  upon  Humboldt,  Agassiz  speaks  of  his  studies  at  Munich,  whose  Uni- 
versity had  opened  under  the  most  brilliant  auspices,  and  where  nearly  every  professor 
was  prominent  in  some  department  of  science  or  literature.  "  These  men,"  he  says, 
"  were  not  only  our  teachers  but  our  friends.  We  were  the  companions  of  their  walks 
and  often  present  at  their  discussions."  "  My  room,"  he  adds,  "  was  our  meeting-place,  bed- 
room, study,  musei;m,  library,  lecture-room,  fencing-room,  all  in  one.  Students  and  pro- 
fessors used  to  call  it  the  little  Academy." 

It  was  at  this  time  that  Humboldt  was  preparing  for  his  Asiatic  journey.  Agassiz  was 
anxious  to  accompany  him,  and  asked  that  he  might  join  the  expedition  as  an  assistant. 
This  was  the  beginning  of  his  personal  acquaintanceship  with  Humboldt. 

A  graphic  picture  is  presented  of  the  student's  life  in  Paris,  in  the  days  of  Louis  Phil- 
ippe, when  Cuvier,  just  the  age  of  Humboldt  himself,  was  active  and  ardent  in  research, 
his  salon  frequented  by  statesmen,  scholars  and  artists. 

Cuvier  was  then  giving  a  course  of  lectures,  in  the  College  of  France,  on  the  History 
of  Science.  "Humboldt,"  says  Agassiz,  "  attended  these  lectures  regularly;  I  had  fre- 
quently the  pleasure  of  sitting  by  his  side,  and  being  the  recipient  of  his  passing  criti- 
cism." At  this  period,  Humboldt  had  his  working-room  at  the  Rue  de  la  Harpe. 
"  There,"  continues  Agassiz,  "  it  was  my  privilege  to  visit  him  frequently.  There  he 
gave  me  leave  to  come,  to  talk  with  him  about  my  work,  and  consult  him  in  my  difficul- 
ties." 

At  this  time  Agassiz  was  twenty-four  years  of  age,  and  Humboldt  sixty-two. 

"  I  had  recently,"  says  Agassiz,  "  taken  my  degree  as  Doctor  of  Medicine,  and  was 
struggling,  not  only  for  a  scientific  position,  but  for  the  means  of  existence  also.  I  have 
said  that  he  gave  me  permission  to  come  as  often  as  I  pleased  to  his  room,  opening  to  me 
freely  the  inestimal_)le  advantages  which  intercourse  with  such  a  man  gave  to  a  young 
investigator  like  myself  But  he  did  far  more  than  this,  occupied  and  surrounded  as  he 
was,  he  sought  me  out  in  mv  lodging." 

Here  he  o-ives  a  most  interesting  account  of  a  visit  from  Humboldt,  at  Agassiz's  narrow 
quarters,  in  the  Hotel  du  Jardin  des  Plantes.  After  which  is  an  invitation  from  Humboldt 
to  meet  him  at  the  Palais  Royal, —  where  they  dine, —  "a  rare  indulgence,"  says  Agassiz, 
"for  a  young  man,  who  could  allow  himself  few  luxuries."  "  Here,"  he  adds,  "for  three 
hours,  which  passed  like  a  dream,  I  had  him  all  to  myself.  How  he  examined  me,  and 
how  much  I  learned  in  that  short  time !  How  to  work,  what  to  do,  and  what  to  avoid ; 
how  to  live,  how  to  distribute  my  time  ;  what  methods  of  study  to  pursue  ;  these  were  the 
things  of  which  he  talked  to  me,  on  that  delightful  evening." 

When  we  reflect  upon  the  extended  reputation  accpiired  by  Agassiz  before  he  left 
Europe  ;  of  that  visit  to  this  country  which  led  him  gladly  to  adopt  it  as  his  home,  and  of 
the  untiring  zeal  with  which  he  devoted  to  it  tlie  best  years  of  his  life  ;  shall  we  not  hold 
in  grateful  remembrance  the  man  who  gave  to  him,  at  the  most  critical  moment,  the  cor- 
dial hand  of  friendship,  and  who  by  his  cheering  words,  insjjired  fresh  ardor,  and  a  hope 
which  no  after  trial  could  extinguish  ? 


BOSTON   SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  163 

It  is  more  than  a  pleasant  picture,  it  is  a  lesson  for  all  time,  and  should  awaken,  through 
generations,  the  desii'e  generously  to  encourage  and  wisely  to  aid. 

It  was  in  this  spirit  that  a  "  Humboldt  Scholai-ship  "  became  associated  with  the  Hum- 
boldt Anniversary.  Through  personal  solicitation  on  the  part  of  the  committee  the  sum 
of  seven  thousand  dollars  was  subscribed  to  form  a  permanent  fund,  the  income  of  which, 
under  the  direction  of  the  Faculty,  was  to  be  solely  applied  to  the  aid  of  young  and  needy 
students,  while  pursuing  their  preparatory  studies  at  the  Museum  of  Comparative  Zoology, 
in  Cambridge.  The  founding  of  this  scholarship  was  the  voluntary  proposition  of  this  So- 
ciety as  a  token  of  sympathy  and  hearty  good-will. 

The  gratification  of  Professor  Agassiz  was  at  once  expressed.  In  a  note  written  July 
3d,  he  says : 

"  Your  proposition  to  connect  a  scholarship  with  the  Museum  of  Comparative  Zoology, 
in  commemoi'ation  of  this  occasion,  has  had  gi'eat  weight  with  me.  I  believe  that  such  an 
arrangement  will  not  only  be  an  ever-returning  memento  of  the  solemnities  of  this  14th  of 
September,  but,  if  properly  conducted,  will  contribute  to  the  real  advancement  of  Natural 
History  among  us." 

The  origin  of  this  scholarship  was  by  some  misapprehended.  It  was  supposed  to  have 
been  suggested,  directly  or  indirectly,  by  Professor  Agassiz.  This  is  an  entire  mistake. 
No  one  could  feel  more  sensitive  than  he  himself  did  upon  this  subject.  His  feelings  are 
frankly  expressed  in  a  note  which  I  received  from  him,  after  he  had  read  a  paragraph  in 
the  daily  j^apers,  referring  this  movement  to  him. 

"My  Dear  Sir:—        . 

"  In  a  paper  to-day,  giving  an  account  of  the  proposed  celebration,  '  a  plan  '  is  alluded 
to  '  of  Mr.  Agassiz  for  founding  a  Humboldt  Scholarship  in  the  institution  of  which  he  is 
the  head.' 

"  This  is  no  doubt  a  simple  error  of  the  press,  but  I  should  be  very  sorry  to  have  it 
stand.  It  would  have  been  very  ungracious  in  me,  and  would  have  shown,  to  say  the 
least,  a  great  want  of  delicacy,  had  I  suggested  an  endowment  for  the  Museum  in  which  I 
am  personally  interested.  It  was,  as  you  know,  a  proposition  made  spontaneously,  without 
any  reference  to  me.  And  though  I  rejoice  in  it  and  feel  doubly  unwilling,  on  account  of 
this  offer,  to  shrink  from  the  responsibility  connected  with  the  invitation  of  your  com- 
mittee, yet  the  suggestion  coming  from  me,  under  the  circumstances,  instead  of  being 
appropriate,  would  be  wholly  unbecoming.  You  will  excuse  me  for  troubling  you  about 
this,  but  I  am  sui'e  you  will  see  that  it  places  me  in  an  awkward  position." 

If  in  any  mind  there  should  exist  even  the  shadow  of  a  misapprehension  upon  this  sub- 
ject, these  words  will  serve  to  explain  fully  both  the  feelings  of  Prof  Agassiz  and  the 
exact  facts  of  the  case. 

At  the  close  of  his  public  address  of  the  14th  of  September,  he  says : 

"  I  have  appeared  before  you  as  the  representative  of  the  Boston  Natural  History  So- 
ciety. It  was  their  proposition  to  celebrate  this  memorable  anniversary.  I  feel  grateful 
for  their  invitation,  for  the  honor  they  have  done  me.  I  feel  still  more  gi-ateful  for  the 
generous  impulse  which  has  prompted  them  to  connect  a  Humboldt  Scholarship,  as  a  me- 
morial of  this  occasion,  with  the  Museum  of  Comparative  Zoology  at  Cambridge." 


164  HISTORICAL   SKETCH   OF  THE 

Thus,  Mr.  President  and  gentlemen,  while  we  cannot  but  deeply  mourn  the  vast  loss 
which  this  community  and  the  whole  country  has  sustained  by  this  bereavement,  we 
rejoice  in  that  friendly  relationship  which  so  long  existed  between  us,  and  are  thankful 
that  one  of  the  last  great  pul)lic  utterances  of  his  life  was  given  under  the  auspices  of  this 
Society. 

And  now  that  his  life,  so  beneficently  crowded  with  activity  and  usefulness,  has  closed 
to  us  in  this  sphere  of  being,  we  are  grateful  that  our  mutual  efibrts  established  what  will 
not  only  be  a  perpetual  bond  of  imion  between  this  Society  and  the  institution  of  which  he 
was  the  honored  head,  but  which,  we  trust,  through  successive  years,  may  prove  a  source 
of  practical  help  and  encouragement  to  numberless  students,  who,  by  their  future  efforts, 
may  extend  the  boundaries  of  knowledge,  thus  aiding  in  the  work  of  human  progress, 
while  they  carry  forward  to  yet  further  completion,  those  investigations  and  discoveries 
which,  in  oiu-  own  day,  have  given  innnortality  to  the  names  of  Humboldt  and  of  Agassiz. 

There  was  much  feeling  manifested  at  this  time  concerning  the  safety  of  the  Museum 
and  collections,  now  of  inestimable  value.  At  a  meeting  of  the  Council,  the  Custodian 
brought  up  the  question  of  prohibiting  the  use  of  workrooms  after  dark.  This  led  to  the 
appointment  of  a  committee  to  take  the  whole  subject  of  securing  the  building  and  con- 
tents against  fire.  At  a  subsequent  meeting,  the  President,  in  behalf  of  this  committee 
of  which  he  was  chairman,  rei^orted,  recommending  several  changes  in  regard  to  unsafe 
gas  fixtures,  and  the  erection  of  stand  pipes  for  water.  By  vote,  the  committee  was 
authorized  to  do  all  they  deemed  wise  and  necessary  in  the  matter. 

In  January,  the  President,  Mr.  Bouve,  again  brought  before  the  Council  the  necessity 
of  continued  action  in  order  to  place  the  collections  of  the  Museum  in  projDcr  sequence, 
in  accordance  with  the  j^h^n  of  arrangement  which  had  been  adopted.  He  thought  that 
extensive  changes  were  desirable  at  once.  These  would  involve  the  fitting  up  of  two  gal- 
leries in  the  side  rooms  of  the  main  hall  for  the  reception  of  the  Botanical  collection,  as 
well  as  the  fitting  up  of  the  north  rooms  on  the  first  floor  for  the  Mineralogical  and  Geo- 
logical collections.  To  carry  out  these  changes  would  require  an  expenditure  of  about 
five  thousand  dollars.  After  discussion,  a  committee  was  appointed,  consisting  of  Messrs. 
Bouve,  Hyatt,  Brigham,  Cummings  and  Scudder,  to  consider  the  matter  and  report  at  the 
next  meeting  to  be  held  a  week  later.  When  the  Council  again  met,  the  President  in 
behalf  of  the  committee,  pi'esented  plans  and  estimates  relative  to  the  proposed  alterations. 
He  stated,  however,  that  the  majority  of  the  committee  recommended  that  the  Botanical 
collections  be  placed  in  the  gallery  on  the  north  side  of  the  main  hall,  rather  than  on  the 
south  side.  To  this,  Mr.  Brigham,  in  behalf  of  a  minority  of  the  connnittee,  strongly 
remonstrated.  A  prolonged  discussion  followed.  The  Council,  after  mature  deliberation, 
finally  voted,  with  but  one  dissenting  voice,  to  make  the  alterations  as  proposed  by  the 
majority  of  the  committee,  and  full  authority  was  given  the  President,  Custodian  and 
Treasurer  to  carry  them  out.  The  Council  also  voted  that  the  southeast  room  in  the  base- 
ment be  fitted  up  as  a  woi-k  I'oom  under  the  direction  of  the  same  parties. 

As  indicative  of  thought  given  by  membei-s  of  the  Society  to  matters  afi'ecting  the  pub- 
lic interest  not  pertaining  especially  to  its  work,  it  may  be  stated  that  in  February  of  this 
year,  the  Council  passed  a  vote    tor    presentation  to  the  cit}'  authorities  remonstrating 


BOSTON   SOCIETY   OF   NATURAL  HISTORY.  165 

against  licensing  "  Jourdain's  Museum  of  Anatomy  "  so  called,  on  the  ground  of  its  ten- 
dency to  offend  decency  and  public  morality,  whilst  subserving  no  good  purpose. 

It  being  understood  that  persons  were  in  the  habit  of  entering  the  building  during 
the  evening  hours  for  other  purposes  than  that  of  working  upon  the  collections,  the  Coun- 
cil voted  in  March :  That  after  the  closing  of  the  building,  no  person  shall  be  allowed  to  pass 
into  it,  except  through  the  apartments  of  the  Janitor. 

Some  alterations  were  proposed  and  adopted  in  the  Constitution  and  By-laws  at  this 
time,  the  most  important  of  which  was  the  addition  to  the  latter  of  a  section,  providing 
that  whenever  any  existing  or  anticipated  vacancy  in  the  list  of  officers  was  to  be  filled  by 
election,  a  nominating  committee  should  be  appointed  by  the  Society  at  a  stated  meeting  to 
bring  in  at  a  subsequent  meeting  one  or  more  nominations  of  persons  to  fill  such  vacancy. 
And  providing  also  that  no  person  should  be  elected  to  aiiy  office  until  his  nomination  had 
been  under  consideration  by  the  Society  at  least  two  weeks. 

In  April  of  this  year,  Mr.  S.  H.  Scudder  spoke  of  the  great  importance  of  a  re-survey 
of  the  State  of  Massachusetts,  topographical,  geological  and  biological.  It  was  the  first  in 
the  Union  to  provide  for  a  survey,  but  while  almost  all  the  principal  States  had  now 
finished  or  begun  a  second  one,  no  steps  had  been  taken  by  Massachusetts  in  this  direc- 
tion. The  original  survey  was  wonderfully  well  done,  yet  incomplete,  and  the  advance  of 
scientific  knowledge  since  rendered  a  re-survey  very  desirable.  The  American  Academy  of 
Arts  and  Sciences  had  taken  the  matter  into  consideration  and  had  appointed  a  committee 
to  memorialize  the  Legislature  on  the  subject. 

Prof  Niles,  Mr.  John  Cumniings  and  the  President  all  addressed  the  meeting  in  favor  of 
the  project,  and  finally  it  was  voted  on  motion  of  Mr.  Putnam  :  That  the  President  ap- 
point a  committee  including  himself  to  petition  the  Legislature  for  a  re-survey  of  the  State. 
Messrs.  Niles,  Cummings,  Putnam,  Jeffries,  Hyatt,  and  Morse  with  the  President,  were 
accordingly  made  this  committee. 

In  the  following  May  Mr.  S.  H.  Scudder  reported  that  the  subject  of  a  re-survey  of  the 
State  had  duly  come  before  the  Legislature  and  had  been  referred  to  the  Committee  on 
Education  with  every  prospect  of  a  favorable  report.  He  also  referred  to  the  question  of 
a  public  park  now  agitated,  thinking  that  the  idea  of  the  establishment  of  a  zoological 
garden  should  be  considered  by  the  Society  in  connection  with  it. 

The  annual  meeting  was  held  on  May  6th,  Vice-President  R.  C.  Greenleaf  in  the  Chair. 

The  report  of  the  Treasurer  showed  that  the  expenditures  of  the  Society  had  exceeded 
its  receipts  $1874.12.  Among  the  former,  however,  was  included  the  sum  of  |1754.22 
paid  for  insurance  of  property  for  five  years.  The  alterations  and  improvements  in  the 
building  indispensable  for  the  safety  of  the  collections,  and  to  bring  them  into  proper  rela- 
tion to  each  other,  had  cost  $3423.81. 

The  report  of  the  Custodian,  Mr.  Hyatt,  who  had  returned  home  and  resumed  the 
duties  of  his  office,  after  appropriately  referring  to  the  decease  of  Prof  Agassiz,  gives  a 
summary  of  the  work  of  the  year,  from  which  the  following  is  presented. 

Mr.  Hyatt's  visit  to  Europe  afforded  an  opportunity  to  fill  out  the  Palaeontological  col- 
lection. A  fair  collection  of  species  from  Western  Europe  was  needed  in  order  that  we 
should  be  able  to  compare  them  in  a  general  way  with  their  synchronous  representatives 
in  North  America.     To  meet  this  want  Mr.  John   Cummings  generously  furnished  the 


166  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 

necessary  means  iov  their  purchase.  By  good  fortune  Mr.  Hyatt  was  able  to  buy  the  very 
valuable  collection  of  Oberfinanzrath  Eser  of  Stuttgart.  This  was  very  rich  in  the  fossils 
of  the  Tertiary,  Secondary  and  Triassic  periods,  and  also  contained  a  fair  representation  of 
the  Carboniferous,  and  some  of  the  Devonian  and  Silurian  types.  All  these  had  Iseen 
selected  with  great  care,  and  Herr  Eser  had  expended  the  leisure  hours  of  nearly  forty 
years  in  accumulating  them. 

Speaking  of  this  collection,  the  Custodian  remarked  that  the  "  imique  specimens  which 
it  contains  are  both  remarkable  and  numerous.  Many  of  these  were  found  during  the 
building  of  the  extensive  fortifications  at  Ulm,  and  were  selections  from  all  the  fossils 
obtained,  which  were  sent  by  the  chief  architect  to  Herr  Eser.  The  most  valuable  single 
series  consists  of  the  two  head  pieces  and  detached  bones  of  Belodon  Campbelli,  the  only 
remains  of  this  i-emarkable  animal  ever  found.  There  are  specimens  of  tertiary  plants, 
which  are  of  such  delicacy  that  they  are  mounted  like  l^otanical  specimens  on  paper." 

Besides  the  collection  mentioned,  Mr.  Hyatt  purchased  also  while  abroad,  through  the 
generosity  of  Mr.  Cummings,  several  large  specimens  for  the  Palaeoutological  department 
quite  essential  to  it,  among  the  species  several  Ichthyosauri  and  Teleosauri,  and  a  magnifi- 
cent plate  of  the  expanded  species  of  the  Pentacrinus  Briarius. 

A  splendid  collection  of  Devonian  fossils  collected  near  Ithaca,  New  York,  had  also 
been  added  to  the  Palaeoutological  series,  partly  by  donations  of  Mr.  John  Cummings 
and  Mr.  Thos.  T.  Bouve,  and  partly  by  purchase. 

The  illness  of  Mr.  Sprague  had  interrupted  work  in  the  Entomological  department.  It 
was  reported  by  Mr.  Emerton,  free  from  destructive  insects.  Dr.  Carpenter  had  continued 
work  on  the  Mollusca.  To  the  Comparative  Anatomy  department  a  prepared  skeleton  of 
a  horse  mackerel  had  been  added.  Work  ou  the  Fishes  had  been  begun  by  Mr.  Putnam, 
Chairman  of  the  Ichthyological  Committee. 

The  Ornithological  collection  had  been  frequently  inspected  through  the  year.  It  was 
reported  as  free  from  insects.  Considerable  work  had  been  done  in  the  Botanical  depax-t- 
ment  by  Miss  Carter,  employed  at  the  expense  of  Mr.  John  Cummings,  to  inspect  and 
arrange  the  duplicates. 

During  the  year  five  Corresponding  and  thirty-one  Resident  Members  had  been  elected. 
There  had  been  seventeen  general  meetings  of  the  Society,  eight  of  the  section  of  Ento- 
mology, and  seven  of  the  section  of  Microscopy. 

The  plan  of  notifying  each  member  By  postal  card  of  the  general  meetings  and  of  the 
papers  to  be  read  at  each,  adopted  in  the  autumn,  had  been  attended  with  great  success. 
The  numbers  present  smce  Oct.  loth,  have  averaged  sixty-four,  whereas  the  average  imm- 
ber  the  previous  year  was  but  twenty-five.  The  greatest  number  of  persons  present  at 
one  meeting  was  one  hundred  and  twenty-four,  the  largest  Society  meeting  ever  held  in 
this  building. 

Only  one  course  of  the  Lowell  Institute  Lectures  was  given.  This  was  by  Dr.  Thos. 
Dwight,  Jr.,  upon  living  animal  tissues. 

The  disastrous  eifects  of  the  great  fire  of  November,  1872,  had  prevented  tlic  contin- 
uance of  the  lectures  to  teachers,   so  generously  provided  for  hitherto  by  Mr.  John  Cum- 


BOSTON   SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL   HISTORY.  167 

Of  publications,  four  articles  in  the  Memoirs  had  appeared,  and  four  parts  of  the  Pro- 
ceedings. The  library  had  received  during  the  year  three  hundred  and  tweuty-three  vol- 
umes, eight  hundred  and  thirty-three  parts  of  volumes,  one  hundred  and  twenty-four 
pamphlets,  and  forty-nine  maps  and  charts. 

Respecting  the  alterations  that  had  been  going  on,  the  Custodian  remarked  that  a  con- 
siderable part  of  the  year  had  been  taken  up  in  making  them.  There  would  undoubtedly 
be  experienced  some  difficulty  in  the  arrangement  of  details  in  the  separate  collec- 
tions but  the  natural  sequence  of  forms,  whether  mineralogical,  geological,  or  zoolog- 
ical would  be  as  fully  and  better  illustrated  than  it  ever  has  been  in  any  printed  work 
embracing  similar  grounds,  an  achievement  heretofore  considered  unattainable  in  Mvise- 
ums  of  the  size  of  this.  He  deprecated  having  ascribed  to  himself  the  whole  credit 
of  the  extraordinary  success  thus  far  obtained,  mentioning  that  the  President  had  urged 
the  adoption  of  the  plan  of  organization  presented  in  the  annual  report  of  1870-71,  and 
had  ever  since  given  it  his  energetic  support. 

At  the  election  of  officers  for  the  year  ensuing,  Mr.  Samuel  H.  Scudder  was  chosen 
First  Vice-President,  and  Mr.  John  Cummings  Second  Vice-President  of  the  Society, 
taking  the  positions  hitherto  held  by  Dr.  Chas.  T.  Jackson,  and  Mr.  Richard  C.  Greenleaf. 

T.  Sterry  Hunt  and  L.  S.  Burbank  were  chosen  upon  the  Committee  on  Geology,  from 
which  John  Cummings  resigned ;  R.  H.  Richards  was  chosen  upon  the  Committee  on  Min- 
erals, in  place  of  Dr.  Charles  T.  Jackson ;  John  Cummings  was  chosen  one  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  Botany  in  place  of  William  T.  Brigham. 

On  motion  of  Dr.  Kneeland  the  thanks  of  the  Society  were  unanimously  voted  to  the 
retiring  Vice-President,  Mr.  Greenleaf,  for  his  valuable  services.  The  following  resolu- 
tion presented  by  Mr.  George  Washington  Warren  was  also  unanimously  passed : 

"  Resolved,  That  this  Society  desires  to  place  upon  its  records,  its  high  appreciation  of 
the  eminent  services  rendered  by  Dr.  Chas.  T.  Jackson,  one  of  its  Vice-Presidents,  and  of 
the  high  honor  conferred  upon  the  Society  by  his  long  association  with  it ;  and  it  would 
respectfully  tender  to  his  afflicted  fomily  its  sincere  condolence  for  the  malady  which 
has  overtaken  him,  and  has  so  abruptly  terminated,  for  a  season  only,  it  is  greatly  to  be 
hoped,  his  scientific  researches,  which  have  been  of  inestimable  value  to  the  public." 

It  was  voted  that  a  copy  of  the  resolution  be  sent  to  the  family  of  Dr.  Jackson. 

Six  years  have  now  passed  since  the  above  mentioned  action  was  taken  by  the  Society, 
and  as  the  hope  expressed  of  the  renewal  of  scientific  work  on  the  part  of  Dr.  Jackson, 
has  not  been  and  is  not  likely  to  be  realized,^  there  can  be  no  more  fitting  occasion  to 
dwell  upon  his  connection  with,  and  his  services  to  the  Society.  He  was  not,  strictly  speak- 
ing, one  of  its  original  members,  but  he,  soon  after  its  foundation,  was  acting  among  them, 
and  in  1833  was  elected  to  the  office  of  Curator. 

To  no  man  was  the  Society  more  indebted  for  constant  and  active  zeal  in  its  welfare 
than  to  Dr.  Charles  T.  Jackson  during  the  first  forty  years  of  its  existence.  Others  sur- 
passed him  in  laborious  work  on  its  collections  when  nearly  all  done  upon  them  was  by 
voluntary  effort ;  others  in  exerting  greater  influence  in  the  community  for  its  ad  vantage  ; 
but  none  in  a  constant  manifestation  of  interest  in  its  proceedings  as  shown  by  so  long 
and  uninterrupted  a  participation  in  them,  and  by  the   generous  donation  of  a  large  por- 

'  Dr.  Jackson  died,  after  .1  long  illness,  on  the  29th  of  August,  1880. 


168  HISTORICAL   SKETCH    OF  THE 

tion  of  his  mineral  collection.  No  man  among  the  members  perhaps  manifested  more 
genins  for  scientific  work.  Had  the  truly  brilliant  suggestions  of  his  mind  been  always 
followed  up  by  promj^t  endeavor  to  obtain  practical  results,  he  would  have  been  recog- 
nized everywhere  as  a  great  discoverer  and  benefactor.  This  is  not  the  place  to  discuss 
questions  relative  to  his  instrumentality  in  the  introduction  of  ether  as  an  anjesthetic 
agent.  Suffice  it  here  to  ex])ress  what  is  clearly  true  that  the  friends  who  knew  him  the 
most  intimately  and  who  were  his  constant  companions,  ever  felt  that  much  more  was  due 
to  him  than  the  world  awarded.  Whatever  may  be  said,  however,  upon  mooted  points,  all 
who  were  members  of  the  Society  in  his  days  of  activity  will  agree  that  he  served  it  well 
and  faithfully  and  that  he  richly  earned  its  gratitude.  Possessed  of  a  good  memory,  and 
having  a  great  fund  of  information  upon  almost  all  subjects  that  came  up  for  discussion 
at  the  meetings,  Dr.  Jackson  became  much  relied  upon  to  take  part  when  there  was  any 
lack  of  speakers,  and  thus  often  largely  contributed  to  the  interest  of  proceedings  that 
might  otherwise  have  been  dull.  Moreover,  he  frequently  read  papers  of  great  value 
which  appeared  in  the  publications  of  the  Society. 

In  the  Council  meeting  first  held  after  the  annual  one  of  the  Society,  the  usual  commit- 
tees for  the  year  were  formed,  and  a  new  arrangement  was  made  with  the  Custodian,  by 
which  it  was  understood  that  he  should  give  all  his  time  to  the  Society,  excepting  such  as 
was  required  by  him  for  his  regular  lectures,  and  be  held  responsiljle  for  the  building  and 
all  the  employees  under  his  charge  ;  these  to  be  considered  his  assistants  and  not  those  of 
the  other  officers  or  of  members  of  the  Council.  The  Custodian  or  the  Museum  assistant 
to  Ije  present  during  office  hours.  The  Secretary  to  be  present  only  when  necessary, 
and  the  second  assistant  to  be  a  general  assistant  under  his  charge. 

In  furtherance  of  the  plan  still  in  progress  to  arrange  the  collections  in  consecutive 
order,  the  Council  voted,  upon  representation  of  Mr.  Bouve  in  behalf  of  the  committee 
on  alterations,  that  it  was  necessary  to  fit  up  the  gallery  on  the  south  side  of  the  building 
for  the  reception  of  Protozoans  and  Radiates. 

Walker  Prizes.  The  subject  proposed  for  the  Walker  annual  prize  for  1874  was  "The 
comparative  structure  of  the  limbs  of  birds  and  reptiles."  No  essay  of  sufficient  merit 
for  an  award  was  presented. 

In  June  of  this  year,  the  subject  of  a  Zoological  Garden  came  before  the  Society  and 
the  Council.  At  a  meeting  of  the  former,  it  was  voted,  upon  motion  of  Mr.  G.  Washing- 
ton Warren,  that  a  committee  be  appointed  by  the  Chair  to  urge,  in  the  name  of  the 
Society,  before  the  Park  Commissioners  and  the  City  Council,  the  importance  of  providing 
for  the  establishment  of  a  Zoiilogical  Garden  and  Aquarium  in  connection  with  one  of  the 
proposed  public  pai'ks,  and  that  said  committee  have  power  to  call  a  special  meeting  of 
the  Society  whenever  it  may  l)e  thought  expedient  to  consider  such  recommendation  as 
the  committee  may  suggest  in  relation  to  the  subject. 

Whether  this  committee  was  appointed  and  if  so  what  they  did,  is  not  reported  in  the 
records.  The  matter  is  quoted  as  indicating  the  readiness  of  the  Society  to  cooperate 
with  the  City  government  in  any  movement  that  may  be  made  towards  the  establishment 
of  a  Zoological  Garden. 


.  "'V^I^^KtS^^W^:   . 


<l^'y   '-v^Ji^ 


^\ 


\Ay>^OL.\A_ 


BOSTON   SOCIETY   OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  169 

JEFFRIES  WYMAN. 

Died  4th  Sept.,  1874. 

The  wisgst  man  coulJ  .ask  no  more  of  F<ate 
Than  to  be  simple,  modest,  manly,  true, 
S;<fe  from  tlie  M.any,  honored  by  the  Few; 
Nothing  to  court  in  World,  or  Church,  or  State, 
But  inwardly  in  secret  to  be  great; 
To  feel  mysterious  N.ature  ever  new. 
To  touch,  if  not  to  grasp,  her  endless  clew. 
And  lenrn  by  each  discovery  how  to  wait ; 
To  widen  knowledge  and  escape  the  praise ; 
Wisely  to  teach,  because  more  wise  to  learn ; 
To  toil  for  Science,  not  to  draw  men's  gaze. 
But  for  her  lore  of  self-denial  stern ; 
That  such  a  man  could  spring  from  our  decays 
Fans  the  soul's  nobler  faith  until  it  burn. 

James  Russell  Lowell. 

The  first  meeting  of  the  Society  in  the  autumn  was  held  on  October  7th.  There  were 
one  hundred  and  fourteen  ^jersons  present,  many  of  whom  had  come  expressly  to  testify 
their  great  respect  and  regard  for  the  memory  of  Dr.  Jeffries  Wyman,  whose  death  had 
occurred  on  the  fourth  day  of  the  previous  month.  The  President  addressed  the  members 
as  follows  : 

After  our  usual  summer  vacation  we  meet  together  with  more  than  accustomed  emotion ; 
for  mixed  with  the  joy  of  greeting  one  another  after  separation,  there  is  a  consciousness 
of  irreparable  loss  that  weighs  heavily  upon  our  spirits,  a  recognition  that  there  have 
gone  away  from  us  a  force  and  a  virtue  which  have  so  long  been  a  help  and  inspiration, 
that  we  cannot  but  feel  a  sense  of  bereavement  such  as  no  words  of  mine  can  adequately 
express.  Sad  indeed  is  it  for  us  and  for  all,  that  such  nobleness  of  nature,  such  wealth  of 
acquired  knowledge,  such  purity  and  simplicity  of  life,  as  were  manifested  in  Jeffries 
Wyman,  should  pass  from  the  world  ;  for  rare,  too  rare,  are  to  be  found  examples  of  such 
exalted  character  and  attainments. 

To  our  Society  Professor  Wyman  was  a  great  benefactor ;  not  in  the  sense  of  a  donor 
especially,  but  in  the  higher  sense  of  one  imparting  to  it  such  honorable  flime  as  enhanced 
greatly  respect  for  it,  both  at  home  and  abroad.  To  him  also  was  the  Society  mainly 
indebted  for  the  interest  shown  in  our  woi'k  by  the  late  Dr.  Walker,  aud  which  led  directly 
to  its  large  endowment  with  means  of  succe;7s. 

But  pleasant  as  it  would  be  for  me,  as  a  personal  friend,  to  dwell  upon  the  transcendent 
virtues  of  one  whom  I  have  always  regarded  with  the  highest  respect  and  most  affection- 
ate esteem,  I  feel  it  would  be  unbecoming  to  further  occupy  your  time  in  view  of  those 
present,  who  have  come  here  with  their  tributes  of  love  to  the  memory  of  our  dear 
departed  friend.  I  therefore  close  by  inviting  others  to  address  you,  first  calling  upon 
Dr.  Asa  Gray,  who,  from  his  great  regard  for  Professor  Wyman  has  kindly  prepared  a 
notice  of  his  life  and  work  to  read  on  this  occasion. 


170  -  HISTORICAL   SKETCH    OF   THE 

Dr.  Gray  said  :  — 

When  Ave  think  of  the  associate  and  friend  whose  death  this  Society  now  deplores,  and 
remember  how  modest  and  retiring  he  was,  how  averse  to  laudation  and  reticent  of 
words,  we  feel  it  becoming  to  speak  of  liim,  now  that  he  has  gone,  with  much  of  the 
reserve  which  would  be  imposed  upon  us  if  he  were  living.  Yet  his  own  perfect  truthful- 
ness and  nice  sense  of  justice,  and  the  benefit  to  be  derived  from  the  contemplation  of 
such  a  character  by  way  of  example,  may  be  our  warrant  for  reasonalde  freed(.)m  in  the 
expression  of  our  judgments  and  our  sentiments,  taking  care  to  avoid  all  exaggeration. 

Appropriate  and  sincere  eulogies  and  expressions  of  loss,  both  official  and  personal, 
have,  however,  already  been  pronounced  or  puldished  ;  and  among  them  one  from  the 
governors  of  that  institution  to  which,  together  Avith  our  own  Society,  most  of  Professor 
Wyman's  official  life  and  services  were  devoted, — which  appears  to  me  to  delineate  in  the 
fewest  words  the  truest  outlines  of  his  character.  In  it  the  President  and  Fellows  of  Har- 
vard University  "  recall  with  affectionate  respect  and  admiration  the  sagacity,  patience 
and  rectitude  which  characterized  all  his  scientific  work,  his  clearness,  accuracy  and  con- 
ciseness as  a  writer  and  teacher,  and  the  industry  and  zeal  with  which  he  labored  upon  the 
two  admirable  collections  which  remain  as  monuments  of  his  rare  knowledge,  method  and 
skill.  They  commend  to  the  young  men  of  the  University  this  signal  example  of  a  char- 
acter modest,  tranquil,  dignified  and  independent,  and  of  a  life  simple,  contented  and  hon- 
ored." 

What  more  can  be  or  need  be  said?.  It  is  left  for  me,  in  compliance  with  your  invita- 
tion, Mr.  President,  to  say  something  of  what  he  was  to  us,  and  has  done  for  us,  and  to 
put  upon  record,  for  the  use  of  those  who  come  after  us,  some  account  of  his  uneventful 
life,  some  notice,  however  unperfect,  of  his  work  and  his  writings.  I  could  not  do  this 
without  the  help  of  friends  who  knew  him  well  in  early  life,  and  of  some  of  you  who  are 
much  more  conversant  than  I  am  with  most  of  his  researches.  Such  aid,  promptly  ren- 
dered, has  been  thankfully  accepted  and  freely  used. 

Our  associate's  father.  Dr.  Rufus  Wyman, — born  in  Woburn,  graduated  at  Harvard  Col- 
lege in  1799,  and  in  the  latter  part  of  his  life  Physician  to  the  McLean  Asylum  for  the 
Insane, — was  a  man  of  marked  ability  and  ingenuity.  Called  to  the  charge  of  this  earli- 
est institution  of  the  kind  in  New  England  at  its  beginning,  he  organized  the  plan  of 
treatment  and  devised  the  excellent  mechanical  ai'rangements  wdiich  have  since  been 
developed,  and  introduced  into  other  establishments  of  the  kind.  His  mother  was  Ann 
Morrill,  dautrhter  of  James  MorrUl,  a  Boston  merchant.  This  name  is  continued,  and  is 
familiar  to  us,  in  that  of  our  associate's  elder  brother. 

Jeflries  Wyman,  the  third  sou,  derived  his  baptismal  name  from  the  distinguished 
Dr.  John  Jeffries,  of  Boston,  under  whom  his  father  studied  medicine.  He  was  born  on 
the  11th  of  August,  1814,  at  Chelmsford,  a  township  of  a  few  hundred  inhabitants  in 
Middlesex  Co.,  Mass.,  not  far  from  the  present  city  of  Lowell.  As  his  father  took  up  his 
residence  at  the  McLean  Asylum  in  1818,  when  Jeffries  was  only  four  years  old,  he 
received  the  rudiments  of  his  education  at  Charlestown,  in  a  private  school ;  but  after- 
wards went  to  the  Academy  at  Chelmsford,  and,  in  182G,  to  Phillips  E.xeter  Academy, 
where,  under  the   instruction  of  Dr.  Abbot,  he   was  prepared  for  college.     He   entered 


BOSTON   SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  171 

Harvard  College  in  1829,  the  year  in  whicli  Josiah  Quincy  took  the  presidency,  and  was 
graduated  in  1833,  in  a  class  of  fifty-six,  six  of  whom  became  professoi's  in  the  University. 
He  was  not  remarkable  for  general  scholarship,  but  was  fond  of  chemistry,  and  his  jirefer- 
ence  for  anatomical  studies  was  already  develojied.  Some  of  his  class-mates  remember 
the  interest  which  was  excited  among  them  by  a  skeleton  which  he  made  of  a  mammoth 
bull-frog  from  Fresh  Pond,  proljably  one  which  is  still  preserved  in  his  museum  of  com- 
parative anatomy.  His  skill  and  taste  in  drawing,  which  he  turned  to  such  excellent 
account  in  his  investigations  and  in  the  lecture  room,  as  Avell  as  his  habit  of  close  obser- 
vation of  natural  objects  met  with  in  his  strolls,  were  manifested  even  in  boyhood. 

An  attack 'of  pneumonia  during  his  senior  year  in  college  caused  much  anxiety,  and 
perhaps  laid  the  foundation  of  the  pulmonary  affection  which  burdened  and  finally  short- 
ened his  life.  To  recover  from  the  effects  of  the  attack,  and  to  guard  against  its  return, 
he  made  in  the  winter  of  1833-34,  the  first  of  those  pilgrimages  to  the  coast  of  the 
Southern  States,  which  in  later  years  were  so  often  repeated.  Returning  with  strength 
renewed  in  the  course  of  the  following  spring,  he  began  the  study  of  medicine  under 
Dr.  John  C.  Dalton,  who  had  succeeded  to  his  father's  practice  at  Chelmsford,  but  who 
soon  removed  to  the  adjacent  and  thriving  town  of  Lowell.  Here,  and  with  his  father  at 
the  McLean  Asylum,  and  at  the  Medical  College  in  Boston,  he  passed  two  years  of  profit- 
able study.  At  the  commencement  of  the  third  year  he  was  elected  house-student  in  the 
Medical  Department,  at  the  Massachusetts  General  Hospital, — then  under  the  charge  of 
Doctors  James  Jackson,  John  Ware  and  Walter  Channing — a  responsible  position,  not 
only  most  advantageous  for  the  study  of  disease,  but  well  adapted  to  sharpen  a  young 
man's  power  of  observation. 

In  1837,  after  receiving  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine,  he  cast  about  among  the 
larger  country  towns  for  a  field  in  which  to  practice  his  profession.  Fortunately  for 
science  he  found  no  oj^ening  to  his  mind;  so  he  took  an  office  in  Boston,  on  Washington 
Street,  and  accepted  the  honorable,  but  fiir  from  lucrative  post  of  Demonstrator  of  Anat- 
omy under  Dr.  John  C.  Warren,  the  Ilersey  Professor.  His  means  were  very  slender, 
and  his  life  abstemious  to  the  verge  of  privation ;  for  he  was  unwilling  to  burden  his 
fixther,  who,  indeed,  had  done  all  he  could  in  providing  for  the  education  of  two  sons.  It 
may  be  interesting  to  know  that,  to  eke  out  his  subsistence,  he  became  at  this  time  a 
memljer  of  the  Boston  Fire  Department,  under  an  appointment  of  Samuel  A.  Eliot, 
Mayor,  dated  Sept.  1st,  1838.  He  was  assigned  to  Engine  No.  18.  The  rule  was  that  the 
firstrcomer  to  the  engine  house  should  bear  the  lantern,  and  be  absolved  from  other  work. 
Wyman  lived  near  by,  and  his  promptitude  generally  saved  him  from  all  severer  labor 
than  that  of  enlightening  his  companj-. 

The  turning  point  in  his  life,  i.  e.,  an  opportunity  which  he  could  seize  of  devoting  it  to 
science,  came  when  Mr.  John  A.  Lowell  offered  him  the  curatorship  of  the  Lowell  Insti- 
tute, just  brought  into  operation,  and  a  course  of  lectures  in  it.  He  delivered  his  course 
of  twelve  lectures  upon  Comparative  Anatomy  and  Physiology  in  the  winter  of  18-40-41 ; 
and  with  the  money  earned  by  this  first  essay  in  instructing  others,  he  went  to  Europe  to 
seek  further  instruction  for  himself.  He  reached  Paris  in  May,  1841,  and  gave  his  time  at 
once  to  Human  Anatomy  at  the  School  of  Medicine,  and  Comparative  Anatomy  and  Natr 
ural  History  at  tlie  Garden  of  Plants,  attending  the  lectures  of  Floiu'ens,  Majendie,  and 


172  HISTORICAL   SKETCH  OF  THE 

Longet  on  Physiology,  and  of  de  BlainA'ille,  Isidore  St.  Hilaire,  Valenciennes,  Dumeril, 
and  Milne-Edwards  on  Zoology  and  Comparative  Anatomy.  In  the  summer,  when  the 
lectures  were  over,  he  made  a  pedestrian  journey  along  the  banks  of  the  Loire,  and  an- 
other along  the  Rhine,  returning  through  Belgium,  and  by  steamer  to  London.  There, 
while  engaged  in  the  study  of  the  Hunterian  collections  at  the  Royal  College  of  Surgeons, 
he  received  information  of  the  alarming  illness  of  his  lather ;  he  immediately  turned  his 
face  homew^ard,  but  on  reaching  Halifax  he  learned  that  his  flither  was  no  more. 

He  resumed  his  residence  in  Boston,  and  devoted  himself  mainly  to  scientific  work, 
under  circumstances  of  no  small  discouragement.  But  in  1843  the  means  of  a  modest 
professional  livelihood  came  to  him  in  the  offer  of  the  chair  of  Anatomy  and  Physiology  in 
the  medical  department  of  Hampden-Sydney  College,  established  at  Richmond,  Virginia. 
One  advantage  of  this  position  was  that  it  did  not  interrupt  his  residence  in  Boston  except 
for  the  winter  and  spring  ;  and  during  these  months  the  milder  climate  of  Richmond  was 
even  then  desirable.  He  discharged  the  duties  of  the  chair  most  acceptably  for  five  ses- 
sions, until,  in  1847,  he  was  appointed  to  succeed  Dr.  Warren  as  Hersey  Professor  of 
Anatomy  in  Harvard  College,  the  Parkman  professorship  in  the  Medical  School  in  Boston 
being  filled  by  the  present  incumbent,  Dr.  Holmes.  Thus  commenced  Prof  AVyman's 
most  useful  and  honorable  connection  as  a  teacher  Avith  the  University,  of  which  the  Pres- 
ident and  Fellows  speak  in  the  terms  I  have  already  recited.  He  began  his  work  in 
Holden  Chapel,  the  upper  floor  being  the  lecture-room,  the  lower  containing  the  dissecting 
room  and  the  anatomical  museum  of  the  College,  wath  which  he  combined  his  own  collec- 
tions and  preparations,  which  from  that  time  forward  increased  rapidly  in  number  and 
value  under  his  industrious  and  skillful  hands.  At  length  Boylston  Hall  was  built  for  the 
anatomical  and  the  chemical  departments,  and  the  museum,  lecture  and  working-rooms 
were  establislied  connnodiously  in  their  present  quarters;  and  Prof.  Wyman's  department 
assumed  the  rank  and  the  importance  which  it  deserved.  Both  human  and  comparative 
anatomy  were  taught  to  special  pupils,  some  of  whom  have  jiroved  themselves  worthy  of 
their  honored  master,  while  the  annual  courses  of  lectures  and  lessons  on  Anatomy,  Phy- 
siology, and  for  a  time  the  principles  of  Zoology,  imparted  highly  valued  instruction  to 
undergraduates  and  others. 

In  the  formation  and  perfecting  of  his  museum  —  the  first  of  the  kind  in  the  country, 
arranged  upon  a  plan  both  physiological  and  morphological — no  pains  and  labors  were 
spared,  and  long  and  arduous  journeys  and  voyages  were  made  to  contribute  to  its  I'iches. 
In  the  summer  of  1840, —  having  replenished  his  frugal  means  with  the  proceeds  of  a 
second  course  of  lectures  before  the  Lowell  Institute  (viz:,  upon  Comparative  Physiology, 
a  good  condensed  short-hand  report  of  which  was  published  at  the  time), —  he  accompa- 
nied Captain  Atwood  of  Provincetown,  in  a  small  sloop,  upon  a  fishing  voyage  high  up  the 
coast  of  Labrador;  in  the  winter  of  1852,  going  to  Florida  for  his  health,  he  began  his 
fruitful  series  of  explorations  and  collections  in  that  interesting  district.  In  1854,  accom- 
panied by  his  wife,  he  travelled  extensively  in  Europe,  and  visited  all  the  museums  within 
his  reach.  In  the  spring  of  1856,  with  his  pupils,  Green  and  Bancroft,  as  companions  and 
assistants,  he  sailed  to  Surinam,  penetrated  fiir  into  the  interior  in  canoes,  made  important 
researches  upon  the  ground,  and  enriched  his  museum  with  some  of  its  most  interesting 
collections.     These  came  near  being  too  dearly  bought,  as  he  and  his  companions  took  the 


BOSTON  SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  173 

fever  of  the  country,  from  which  he  suifereil  severely,  and  recovered  slowly.  Again,  in 
1S58-9,  accepting  the  thoughtful  and  generous  invitation  of  Capt.  J.  M.  Forbes,  he  made 
a  voyage  to  the  La  Plata,  ascended  the  Uraguay  and  the  Parana  in  a  small  iron  steamer 
which  Captain  Forbes  brought  upon  the  deck  of  his  vessel ;  then,  with  his  friend  George 
Augustus  Peabody  as  a  companion,  he  crossed  the  pampas  to  Mendosa,  and  the  Cordilleras 
to  Santiago  and  Valparaiso,  whence  he  came  home  by  way  of  the  Peruvian  coast  and  the 
Isthmus. 

B3'  such  expeditions  many  of  the  choice  materials  of  his  museum  and  of  his  researches 
were  gathered,  at  his  own  expense,  to  be  carefully  prepared  and  elaborated  by  his  own 
unaided  hands.  A  vast  neighboring  museum  is  a  splendid  example  of  what  munificence, 
called  forth  by  personal  enthusiasm,  ma}^  accomplish.  In  Dr.  Wj'man's  we  have  an  exam- 
ple of  what  one  man  may  do  unaided,  with  feeble  health  and  feebler  means,  by  persistent 
and  well-directed  industry,  without  eclat,  and  almost  without  observation.  While  we  duly 
honor  those  who  of  their  abundance  cast  their  gifts  into  the  treasury  of  science,  let  us 
not  —  now  that  he  cannot  be  pained  by  our  praise  —  forget  to  honor  one  who  in  silence 
and  penury  cast  in  more  than  tliey  all. 

Of  penury  in  a  literal  sense  we  may  not  speak  ;  for  although  Prof  Wyman's  salary, 
derived  from  the  Hersey  endowment,  was  slender  indeed,  he  adapted  his  wants  to  his 
means,  foregoing  neither  his  independence  nor  his  scientific  work ;  and  I  suppose  no  one 
ever  heard  him  complain.  In  1856  came  unexpected  and  honcrable  aid  from  two  old 
friends  of  his  father  who  appreciated  the  son,  and  wished  him  to  go  on  with  his  scientific 
work  without  distraction.  One  of  them,  the  late  Dr.  William  J.  Walker,  sent  him  ten 
thousand  dollars  outright ;  the  other,  the  late  Thomas  Lee,  who  had  helped  in  his  early 
education,  supplemented  the  endowment  of  the  Hersey  professorship  with  an  equal  sum, 
stipulating  that  the  income  thereof  should  be  ]3fiitl  to  Prof.  Wyman  during  life,  whether 
he  held  the  chair  or  not.     Seldom,  if  ever,  has  a  moderate  sum  produced  a  greater  benefit. 

Throughout  the  later  years  of  Prof.  Wyman's  life  a  new  museum  has  claimed  his  inter- 
est and  care,  and  is  indebted  to  him  for  much  of  its  value  and  promise.  In  18G6,  when 
failing  strength  demanded  a  respite  from  oral  teaching,  and  required  him  to  pass  most  of 
the  season  for  it  in  a  milder  climate,  he  was  named  by  the  late  George  Peabody  one  of 
the  seven  trustees  of  the  Museum  and  Professorship  of  American  Archaeology  and  Eth- 
nology, which  this  philanthropist  proceeded  to  found  in  Harvard  University ;  and  his 
associates  called  upon  him  to  take  charge  of  the  establishment.  For  this  he  was  pecu- 
liarly fitted  by  all  his  previous  studies,  and  by  his  predilection  for  ethnological  inquiries. 
These  had  already  engaged  his  attention,  and  to  this  class  of  subjects  he  was  thereafter 
mainly  devoted, —  with  what  sagacity,  consummate  skill,  untiring  diligence  and  success, 
his  seven  annual  Reports  —  the  last  published  just  before  he  died, —  his  elaborate  memoir 
on  shell-heaps,  noAV  printing,  and  especially  the  Archaeological  Museum  in  Boylston  Hall, 
abundantly  testify.  If  this  museum  be  a  worthy  memorial  of  the  founders  liberality  and 
foresight,  it  is  no  less  a  monument  of  Wyman's  rare  ability  and  devotion.  Whenever  the 
enduring  Ijuilding  which  is  to  receive  it  shall  be  erected,  surely  the  name  of  its  first  cura- 
tor and  organizer  should  be  inscriljed,  along  with  that  of  the  founder,  over  its  portal. 

Of  Prof  Wyman's  domestic  life,  let  it  here  suffice  to  record,  that  in  Dec,  1850,  he 
married  Adeline  Wheelwright,  who  died  in  June   1855,  leaving  two  daughters;  that  in 


174  HISTORICAL   SKETCH   OF   THE 

August,  1861,  he  married  Anna  Williams  Whitney,  who  died  in  February,  1864,  shortly 
after  the  birth  of  an  only  and  a  surviving  son. 

Of  his  later  days,  of  the  slow,  yet  all  too  rapid  progress  of  flital  pulmonary  disease,  it 
is  needless  to  protract  the  story.  Winter  after  winter,  as  he  exchanged  our  bleak  climate 
for  that  of  Florida,  we  could  only  hope  that  he  might  return.  Spring  after  spring  he 
came  back  to  us  invigorated,  thanks  to  the  bland  air  and  the  opeii  life  in  boat  and  tent, 
which  acted  like  a  charm; — thanks,  too,  to  the  watchful  care  of  his  attached  friend, 
Mr.  Peabody,  his  constant  companion  in  Florida  life.  One  winter  was  passed  in  Europe, 
partly  in  reference  to  the  ArchoBological  Museum,  partly  in  hope  of  better  health ;  but  no 
benefit  was  received.  The  past  winter  in  Florida  prodnced  the  usual  amelioration,  and 
the  amount  of  woi'k  which  Dr.  Wyman  undertook  and  accomplished  last  summer  might 
have  tasked  a  robust  man.  There  were  important  accessions  to  the  archteological  collec- 
tions, upon  which  much  labor,  very  trj'ing  to  ordinary  patience,  had  to  be  expended. 
And  in  the  last  interview  1  had  with  him,  he  told  me  that  he  had  gone  through  his  own 
museum  of  comparative  anatomy,  which  had  somewhat  suffered  in  conseciuence  of  the 
alterations  in  Bojlston  Ilall,  and  had  put  the  whole  into  perfect  order.  It  was  late  in 
August  when  he  left  Cambridge  for  his  usual  visit  to  the  White  Mountain  region,  by 
which  he  avoided  the  autumnal  catarrh  ;  and  there,  at  Bethlehem,  New  Hamp.shire,  on 
the  4th  of  September,  a  severe  hemorrhage  from  the  lungs  suddenly  closed  his  valuable 
life. 

Let  us  turn  to  his  relations  with  this  Society.  He  entered  it  in  Octoljer,  18-37,  just 
tliirty-seven  years  ago,  and  shortly  after  he  had  taken  his  degree  of  Doctor  in  Medicine. 
He  was  Eecording  Secretary  from  1839  to  1841 ;  Curator  of  Ichtlwology  and  Ilerjietol- 
ogy  from  1841  to  1847,  of  Herpetology  from  1847  to  1855,  of  Comparative  Anatomy 
from  1855  to  1874.  While  in  these  latter  years  his  duties  may  have  been  almost  nominal, 
it  should  be  remembered  that  in  the  earlier  days  a  curator  not  only  took  charge  of  his 
portion  of  the  Museum,  but  in  a  great  degree  created  it.  Then  for  fourteen  years,  from 
1856  to  1870.  he  was  the  President  of  this  Society,  as  assiduous  in  all  its  duties  as  he  was 
wise  in  council ;  and  he  resigned  the  chair  which  he  so  long  adorned  and  dignified  only 
when  the  increasing  delicacy  of  his  health,  to  which  night-exposure  was  prejudicial,  made 
it  unsafe  for  him  anv  lono-er  to  undertake  its  duties.  The  record  shows  that  he  has  made 
here  one  hundred  and  five  scientific  communications,  several  of  them  very  important 
papers,  every  one  of  some  positive  value ;  for  you  all  know  that  Prof  Wyman  never 
spoke  or  wrote  except  to  a  direct  purpose,  and  because  there  was  something  which  it  was 
wortli  while  to  couununicate.  He  bore  his  part  also  in  tlie  American  Academy  of  Arts 
and  Sciences,  of  which  he  was  a  Fellow  from  the  year  1843,  and  for  many  years  a  Coun- 
cillor. To  it  he  made  a  good  nundjer  of  communications ;  among  them  one  of  the  long- 
est and  ablest  of  his  memoirs. 

Dr.  Gray  then  went  on  to  give  a  brief  account  of  Prof  Wyman's  scientific  work,  as 
recorded  in  Iris  published  papers  which  have  appeared  in  the  Journal  and  Proceedings  of 
this  Society,  in  the  Proceedings  of  the  American  Academy,  in  the  Boston  Medical  Jour- 
nal, in  Silliiuan's  Journal  and  in  the  Smithsonian  Contributions.  Of  several  of  them  he 
presented  interesting  analyses  which  may  be  found  in  the  published  records  of  the  meet- 
ing.    After  notice  of  what  he  had  done  Dr.  Gray  continued  his  remarks  as  follows : 


BOSTON  SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  175 

The  thought  that  fills  our  mmds  upon  a  survey  even  so  incomplete  as  this  is :  How 
much  he  did,  how  well  he  did  it  all,  and  how  simply  and  quietly  !  We  knew  that  our 
associate,  though  never  hurried,  was  never  idle,  and  that  his  great  repose  of  manner 
covered  a  sustained  energy ;  but  I  suspect  that  none  of  us,  without  searching  out  and 
collecting  his  published  papers,  had  adequately  estimated  their  number  and  their  value. 
There  is  nothing  forth-putting  about  them,  nothing  adventitious,  never  even  a  phrase 
to  herald  a  matter  which  he  deemed  important. 

His  work  as  a  teacher  was  of  the  same  quality.  He  was  one  of  the  best  lecturers  I 
ever  heard,  although,  and  partly  because,  he  was  the  most  unpretending.  You  never 
thought  of  the  speaker,  nor  of  the  gifts  and  acquisitions  which  such  clear  exposition  were 
calling  forth, — only  of  what  he  was  simply  telling  and  showing  you.  Then  to  those  who, 
like  his  pupils  and  friends,  were  in  personal  contact  with  him,  there  was  tne  added  charm 
of  a  most  serene  and  sweet  temper.  He  was  truthful  and  conscientious  to  the  very  core. 
His  perfect  freedom,  in  lectures  as  well  as  in  writing,  and  no  less  so  in  daily  conversation, 
from  all  exaggeration,  false  perspective,  and  factitious  adornment,  was  the  natural  expres- 
sion of  his  innate  modesty  and  refined  taste,  and  also  of  his  reverence  for  the  exact  truth. 

Respecting  the  views  of  Jeffries  Wyman  upon  the  subject  that  has  most  dee^jly  moved 
the  minds  of  profound  thinkers  in  our  daj',  Dr.  Gray  remarked : 

In  these  days  it  is  sure  to  be  asked  how  an  anatomist,  physiologist,  and  morphologist 
like  Prof  "Wyman  regarded  the  most  remarkable  scientific  movement  of  his  time,  the 
revival  and  apparent  prevalence  of  doctrines  of  evolution.  As  might  be  expected,  he 
was  neither  an  advocate  nor  an  opponent.  Ha  was  not  one  of  those  persons  who  quickly 
make  up  their  minds,  and  announce  their  opinions  with  a  confidence  inversely  proportion- 
ate to  their  knowledge.     He  could  consider  long,  and  hold  his  judgment  in  suspense. 

And  further  on  he  adds  : 

Upon  one  point  Wyman  was  clear  from  the  beginning.  He  did  not  wait  until  evolution- 
ary doctrines  were  about  to  prevail,  before  he  judged  them  to  be  essentially  philosophical 
and  healthfu*!,  "  in  accordance  with  the  order  of  Nature,  as  commonly  manifested  in  her 
works,"  and  that  they  need  not  disturb  the  foundations  of  natural  theology. 

Perhaps  none  of  us  can  be  trusted  to  judge  of  .such  a  question  impartially,  upon  the 
bax'e  merits  of  the  case;  but  Wyraan's  judgment  was  as  free  from  bias  as  that  of  any  one 
I  ever  knew.  Not  at  all,  however,  in  this  case  from  indifference  or  unconcern.  He  was 
not  only,  philosophically,  a  convinced  theist,  in  all  hours  and  under  all  "  variations  of 
mood  and  tense,"  but  personally  a  devout  man,  an  habitual  and  reverent  attendant  upon 
Christian  worship  and  ministrations. 

Those  of  us  who  attended  his  funeral  must  have  felt  the  appropriateness  for  the  occa- 
sion of  the  words  which  were  there  read  from  the  Psalmist : — 

'•  The  Heavens  declare  the  glory  of  God,  and   the   firmament   showeth  his  handy-work. 

0  Lord,  how  manifold  are  thy  works !     In  wisdom  hast  thou  made  them  all ;  the 

earth  is  full  of  thy  riches ;  so  is  this  great  and  wide  sea,  wherein  are  things  creeping 
innumerable,  both  great  and  small  beasts.  Thou  sendest  forth  thy  spirit,  they  are 
created,  and  thou  renewest  the  face  of  the  earth." 


176  HISTORICAL  SKETCH    OF  THE 

These  are  the  works  which  our  associate  loved  to  investigate,  and  this  the  spirit  in 
which  he  contemplated  them.     Not  less  apposite  wei-e  the  Beatitudes  that  followed  : — 

Blessed  are  the  meek;  blessed  are  the  jpeace-makers;  blessed  are  the  merciful;  blessed 
are  the  pure  in  heart. 

Those  who  knew  him  best,  best  know  how  well  he  exemplified  them. 

Upon  the  conclusion  of  the  address  of  Dr.  Gray,  Mr.  F.  W.  Putnam  offered  the  following 
Resolutions : — 

"Besolved,  That  in  the  death  of  Jeffries  Wyman  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  His- 
tory mourns  the  loss  of  a  most  honored  member  and  efficient  officer;  one  who  was  untir- 
ing in  his  laboi's  for  the  Society  during  his  long  and  active  connection  with  it  as  Curator, 
Secretary  and  President ;  and  that,  in  his  death,  Science  has  lost  a  most  thorough  and 
careful  investigator,  and  the  cause  of  education  and  truth  a  most  devoted  and  conscien- 
tious disciple. 

"liesolved,  That  as  members  of  a  Society  who  gave  to  Professor  Wyman  the  highest 
honor  and  position  we  could  bestow,  we  acknowledge  our  indebtedness  to  him  for  the 
thoughtfulness  and  care  with  which  he  guided  our  labors  for  so  many  years,  and,  while 
filled  with  sorrow  at  our  own  loss,  we  ask  the  privilege,  by  transmission  of  these  resolu- 
tions, of  extending  our  sympathy  to  his  Ijereaved  flimily  in  their  great  trial." 

These  resolutions  were  seconded  by  Dr.  D.  H.  Storer,  who  said  : — 

Mr.  President,  I  most  cordially  second  the  adoption  of  the  resolutions  which  have  been 
presented.  The  scientific  reputation  of  our  departed  friend  was  universally  acknowledged, 
but  the  beauty  of  his  life  was  equally  worthy  of  admiration.  I  never  knew  a  gentler 
purer,  nobler  spirit.     As  a  brother  I  loved  him,  and  I  mourn  him. 

The  Resolutions  were  unanimously  adopted. 

The  following  letter  from  Prof.  Rogers  was  then  read : 

Newport,  Oct.  6,  1874. 
To  Presidext  Bouve, 

My  dear  friend: — I  regret  that  it  will  not  be  in  my  power  to  attend  the  meeting  of 
the  Natural  History  Society  to-morrow  evening,  as  I  should  greatly  desire  to  unite  with 
you  in  an  affectionate  tribute  to  the  memory  of  Prof.  Wyman,  wdiose  long  services  as 
President  of  the  Society,  and  whose  peculiar  excellences  as  a  student  of  nature  must  ever 
claim  our  regard  and  admiration. 

From  my  first  acquaintance  with  him,  while  engaged  in  the  delicate  microscopic  dissec- 
tions with  which  he  illustrated  the  work  of  the  late  Dr.  Amos  Biuney  on  Land-shells,  until 
within  a  few  years  past,  I  have  had  frequent  opportunities  of  marking  his  scientific 
progress  ;  and  although  but  little  acquainted  with  the  inquiries  to  which  he  chiefly  devoted 
himself.  I  have  understood  enough  of  his  labors  to  appreciate  his  singular  patience  and 
accuracy  as  an  observer,  his  ingenuity  in  devising  experiments,  and  the  caution  and  con- 
scientiousness with  which  he  was  accustomed  to  report  the  results  of  his  investigations. 

These  qualities,  early  recognized  by  his  scientific  co-workers  abroad  as  well  as  at  home, 
placed  him  in  the  front  rank  of  the  promoters  of  the  biological  sciences.     To  these  Intel- 


BOSTON  SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  177 

lectual  gifts  were  added  a  modesty  and  self-forgetfulness  which,  while  they  were  unfavor- 
able to  the  more  popular  recognition  of  his  merits,  have  rendered  his  example  preemi- 
nently worthy  of  imitation  by  all  honest  seekers  after  truth.     Yours  faithfully, 

William  B.  Rogers.    ■ 

In  October  the  President  received  a  letter  from  Miss  Susan  Wyman,  Administratrix, 
stating  that  the  will  of  her  father,  Dr.  Jeflries  Wyman,  had  an  item  reading  :  "I  offer  to  the 
Boston  Society  of  Natural  History  my  collection  of  Comparative  Anatomy,  they  paying 
therefor  the  sum  of  three  thousand  dollars."  After  considerable  discussion  it  was  voted  to 
refer  the  matter  to  a  committee  appointed  by  the  Chair.  Dr.  B.  Joy  Jeffries,  Dr.  T.  M. 
Brewer,  and  Mr.  Chas.  J.  Sprague,  composed  this  committee.  In  November,  the  com- 
mittee on  the  bequest  reported  recommending  the  Council  to  accept  the  offer  made  in  the 
will,  and  also,  in  consequence  of  the  increased  value  of  the  collection,  to  pay  ^5000 
instead  of  |3000. 

Much  discussion  followed,  it  being  suggested  that  possibly  there  might  be  facts  not  yet 
before  the  Council  concerning  the  later  wishes  of  Dr.  Wyman  in  regard  to  the  disposal  of 
the  collection  which  might  influence  action.  A  decision  upon  the  matter  was  therefore 
further  postponed,  and  the  President  was  requested  to  confer  with  Dr.  Morrill  Wyman,  and 
to  report  the  result  to  the  Council  two  days  later.  This  he  did  at  a  large  meeting  of  that 
body,  there  being  twenty-one  members  present.  Much  more  discussion  followed,  some 
members  thinking  the  expense  too  great  for  the  Society  to  incur,  others  that  the  wish  of 
the  late  President  as  expressed  in  the  will  should  be  respected  even  at  some  sacrifice. 
None  objected  to  increasing  the  amount  to  $5000  provided  the  collection  was  received. 

It  was  finally  voted  to  accept  the  offer  made  in  the  will,  and  also  in  consequence  of  the 
increased  value  of  the  collection  since  the  execution  of  that  instrument,  that  $2000 
additional  be  paid.  Drs.  Dwight  and  White  were  appointed  a  committee  to  take  all  nec- 
essary action  to  remove  the  collection  and  have  cases  prepared  for  its  reception. 

1875.  The  Report  of  the  Custodian  at  the  annual  meeting  in  May,  was  as  usual  full  of 
interest  to  the  meml^ers.  Respecting  the  work  in  the  building  for  the  protection  of  the 
collections  yet  in  progress,  he  stated  "  that  such  as  had  been  proposed  to  be  done  within 
the  year  has  been  completed.  More  than  half  the  cases  are  now  secured  against  the 
entrance  of  dust  and  insects,  and  the  most  valuable  preparations  can  be  safely  trusted  to 
their  protection.  If  any  member  of  the  Society  will  take  the  trouble  to  walk  through 
our  rooms,  he  will  easily  satisfy  himself  of  the  necessity  of  these  changes.  Tlie  condition 
of  the  collections  which  still  remain  in  the  old  cases,  whose  loose  doors  cannot  be  secured 
either  against  dust  or  insects,  show  this  very  plainly.  The  tables  in  the  Palaeontological 
and  Conchological  collections,  though  but  recently  completed,  are  more  or  less  disfigured 
by  dust,  and  where  more  perishable  specimens  exist,  as  among  birds  and  mammals,  the 
amount  of  damage  done  will  in  a  few  years  be  irretrievable." 

Much  work  had  been  done  upon  the  collections  during  the  year.  Mr.  Emerton  had  been 
occupied  in  removing  those  of  the  Geological  department,  and  also  the  sponges,  corals  and 
echinoderms. 

The  minerals  had  been  rearranged  by  the  President,  so  as  to  make  a  most  attractive  dis- 
play in  the  newly  furnished  room  at  the  right  of  the  main  entrance.  In  the  gallery  of 
this  room  he  had  placed  a  special  collection  of  New  England  species. 


178  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 

The  Eser  Palaeoutological  collection,  presented  by  Mr.  John  Cummings,  had  been  thor- 
oughly revised  by  Mr.  Crosby,  and  was  being  mounted  for  exhibition  by  Miss  Carter, 
whose  efficient  services  to  the  Society  were  due  to  the  generosity  of  Mr.  Cummings.  Mr. 
Crosby  had  been  also  engaged  upon  the  American  fossils,  and  they  were  being  mounted  by 
Miss  Washburn,  for  whose  desirable  assistance  the  Society  had  been  likewise  indebted  to 
Mr.  Cummings. 

During  the  summer  of  the  past  year,  the  Custodian,  assisted  by  Mr.  Rathbun,  worked  for 
the  U.  S.  Fish  Commissioners  under  the  charge  of  Prof.  S.  F.  Baird,  to  whom  the  Society 
was  indebted  for  the  ample  ojiportunities  given  the  Custodian  and  his  assistant  for  collect- 
ing. The  valuable  additions  thus  made  to  our  New  England  collection  had  been  revised 
and  placed  in  complete  order. 

The  Custodian,  in  mentioning  some  work  done  in  preparing  models  illustrating  some  of 
the  living  forms  of  the  MoUusca,  remarked  that  the  experiment  had  shown  the  practicability 
of  rendering  our  collections  useful  as  a  means  of  conveying  accurate  knowledge  to  gen- 
eral students,  teachers  and  the  public,  and  he  strongly  deplored  the  insufficiency  of  funds 
in  every  department  of  the  Museum,  necessary  to  this  being  done,  except  in  that  of  Con- 
chology,  which  the  bequest  of  Miss  Pratt  provides  for. 

The  Teachers'  School  of  Science  had  been  resumed  with  good  results,  Mr.  Cummings 
liberally  furnishing  the  means.  A  course  of  about  thirty  lessons  on  Minerals  had  been 
given  by  Mr.  L.  S.  Burbank  of  Lowell,  and  the  usual  plan  of  presenting  specimens  used  at 
the  lectures  had  been  followed.  In  order  to  test  the  practical  results  of  these  gifts, 
enquiries  wei'e  made  which  resulted  in  showing  that  in  as  many  as  fifty  instances  the  spec- 
imens were  being  intelligently  employed  in  the  instruction  of  students  of  the  teachers. 

The  Society  may  therefore  congratulate  itself  upon  being  the  birthplace  of  the  first 
practicable  movement  for  introducing  the  study  of  the  natural  sciences  into  the  public 
schools  of  Boston. 

The  Botanical  collection  had  received  daily  attention  from  Mr.  Cummings,  and  had  been 
much  improved  by  his  own  work  and  that  of  Miss  Carter.  A  beautiful  as  well  as  valu- 
able addition  to  this  department  had  been  made  by  Mr.  Edward  T.  Bouve,  consisting  of 
the  preparations  of  the  leaves  and  stems  of  New  England  trees  and  shrubs  pressed  under 
panes  of  glass  so  that  they  can  be  readily  studied  without  injury  to  the  specimens.  These 
were  accompanied  by  other  specimens  of  the  wood  and  l)ark  of  each  species.  When  com- 
pleted, as  it  will  be  as  rapidly  as  possible,  this  collection  will  occupy  a  prominent  place 
among  the  New  England  plants. 

Among  the  donations  worthy  of  mention  was  one  of  birds,  shells  and  insects,  received 
as  a  bequest  from  the  family  of  a  deceased  fellow-member,  Mr.  P.  P.  Atkinson.  Although 
very  young,  Mr.  Atkinson  had  already  shown  much  interest  in  the  study  of  natural  hist- 
ory, and  had  attracted  the  friendly  attention  of  many  of  the  members  of  the  Society,  who 
deejDly  regretted  his  early  death. 

The  evening  lectures  given  from  the  Lowell  fund  by  the  Trustee,  Mr.  John  Amory  Low- 
ell, consisted  of  four  courses,  and  in  all  twenty  lectures.  Six  were  upon  the  ''  Chemistry 
of  the  Waters,"  by  Dr.  T.  Sterry  Hunt;  six  upon  "  Injurious  Fungi,"  by  Dr.  W.  G.  Farlow ; 
six  upon  "  American  Archaeology,"  by  Mr.  F.  W.  Putnam ;  and  two  upon  the  "  Village 
Indians  of  New  Mexico,"  by  Mr.  Ernest  Ingersoll. 


BOSTON   SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL   HISTORY.  I79 

There  had  been  eighteen  general  meetings  with  an  average  attendance  of  fifty-four  per- 
sons, five  of  the  section  of  Microscopy  with  an  average  attendance  of  eight  persons 
and  six  of  the  section  of  Entomology,  with  an  average  of  seven  persons.  On  two  occas- 
ions one  hundred  and  fourteen  persons  had  been  present  at  the  general  meetings.  One 
Honorary,  four  Corresponding  and  thirty-seven  Resident  Members,  had  been  elected; 
seventy-five  communications  had  been  presented. 

Of  the  Publications,  two  quarterly  parts  each  of  volumes  sixteen  and  seventeen  of  the 
Proceedings,  and  four  articles  of  the  Memoirs  had  been  published. 

The  additions  to  the  Library  had  been  297  volumes,  820  parts  of  volumes,  261  pam- 
phlets, and  19  maps  and  charts. 

The  Treasurer's  Report  showed  an  excess  of  receipts  over  ordinary  expenditures  of 
$248.81.  There  had  been  besides  extraordinary  expenses,  viz. :  for  alterations  in  Museum 
and  cases,  $10,689.01,  and  for  the  Wyman  Collection,  $5,000,  making  a  total  of  $15,689.01. 

The  changes  made  in  the  officers,  consisted  in  the  resignations  of  WiUiam  H.  Niles  from 
the  Committee  of  Palaeontology,  J.  H.  Emerton  from  the  Committee  on  Mammals,  A. 
S.  Packard,  Jr.,  and  A.  E.  Verrill  from  the  Committee  on  Radiates,  Crustacea  and  Worms, 
and  the  election  of  Dr.  H.  A.  Hagen  on  the  last  mentioned  Committee. 

Walker  Prizes.  The  subject  proposed  for  competitive  essays  for  this  year  was  "  Pro- 
tective coloration  in  any  class  or  classes  of  animals."  No  article  was  presented  in 
response,  or  none  deemed  worthy  of  a  prize . 

In  May,  the  Council  of  the  Society,  recognizing  th  e  unportance  of  the  zoological  and 
botanical  observations  made  by  the  U.  S.  Signal  Service  Bureau,  passed  resolutions 
expressing  its  interest  in  the  continuance  of  such  observations  and  their  extension,  as 
being  of  great  value,  affording  as  they  do,  data  for  important  generalizations  respecting 
not  only  the  migrations  of  birds  and  the  relation  of  their  movements  to  atmospheric 
changes ;  but  also  respecting  the  influence  of  great  extremes  of  temperature,  the  lateness 
or  forwardness  of  the  season,  etc.,  upon  the  development  and  maturation  of  useful  and 
other  plants  and  the  increase  or  decrease  of  insect  jDests ;  thus  possessing  not  only  scien- 
tific importance  but  as  likely  to  lead  to  valuable  practical  results,  especially  in  relation  to 
agricultvn-e. 

In  view  of  these  considerations  and  of  the  fact  that  such  observations  are  beyond  the 
power  of  private  individuals  to  make,  the  Council  deemed  a  special  ajjpropriation  a  wise 
expenditure  of  the  public  money. 

Resolutions  expressing  the  above  were  transmitted  to  General  Albert  J.  Meyer,  Chief  of 
the  Signal  Service  Bureau. 

A  little  incident  in  May  was  too  expressive  of  the  feelings  existing  on  the  part  of  the 
members  towards  one  of  their  number  to  be  passed  over  without  mention.  Prof.  William 
B.  Rogers,  who  had  not  for  a  long  period,  by  reason  of  illness,  been  able  to  attend  the 
meetings  of  the  Society,  was  present,  prepared  to  offer  a  communication.  Upon  the  Presi- 
dent's introducing  him  Avith  a  few  appropriate  words  of  welcome,  there  immediately  fol- 
lowed sucli  heart}'  plaudits  from  all  the  members  as  could  not  fail  to  testify  how  great  the 
respect  and  warm  the  love  felt  by  them  for  their  distinguished  associate. 

In  October  of  this  year,  through  the  bequests  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  C.  S.  Hale  of  Burling- 
ton, New  Jersey,   the  Society   came  into   the   possession   of  a  considerable   collection   of 


180  HISTORICAL   SKETCH   OF   THE 

Cretaceous  and  Tertiary  fossils,  including  series  of  the  Vertebrae  of  the  Zeuglodon  and 
of  the  Mosasaurus. 

Mr.  Hale  upon  a  visit  to  Boston,  many  years  ago,  visited  the  rooms  of  the  Society,  then 
in  Mason  street,  and  was  so  much  gratified  with  what  he  saw  of  the  arrangement  of  the 
cabinet,  and  of  the  care  taken  to  exhibit  the  specimens  to  the  best  advantage,  that  he 
proffered  to  send  bones  of  the  Zeuglodon  which  he  had  obtained  himself  in  Alabama,  and 
place  them  in  the  Society's  collection,  intimating  that  they  might  afterwai'ds  be  pi-esented. 
They  being  received  were  properly  placed  for  examination,  duly  labelled,  and  designated 
as  deposited  by  him.  These  were  the  vertebrae  mentioned  as  included  in  the  bequest. 
The  specimens  received  numbered  about  two  thousand,  of  which  over  one  thousand  were 
catalogued  and  placed  in  the  Cabinet.  The  others  were  put  aside  for  exchange.  Besides 
the  fossils  there  were  several  books  upon  natural  history  received,  also  bequeathed  to 
the  Society. 

The  painting  of  Prof  Agassiz  by  Mrs.  C.  V.  Hamilton,  which  has  since  been  conspicuous 
among  the  jiortraits  possessed  by  the  Society,  was  purchased  by  the  subscription  of  several 
of  the  members. 

1876.  The  writer  of  these  pages  has  not  found  it  consistent  with  his  feelings  to  often 
make  personal  reference  to  his  own  part  in  the  proceedings  of  the  Society.  To  avoid 
doing  so  altogether  would  be  manifestly  unjust  to  those  who  have  been  his  supporters 
during  his  long  service  as  chief  executive  officer,  and  to  the  reader  who  asks  for  truth  and 
not  its  obscuration.  An  event  occiu'red  at  the  meeting  prior  to  that  of  the  annual  elec- 
tion which  can  not  be  passed  over  in  silence  with  due  regard  to  others  than,  himself,  and 
it  may  be  added  with  justice  to  his  own  feelings  of  gi'atitude  for  some  of  the  happiest 
moments  of  his  official  life.  He  had  determined  to  resign  the  position  he  held,  really 
desiring  relief  from  responsibility,  and  fully  satisfied  that  the  Society  would  suffer  no  det- 
riment from  a  change.  To  his  surprise  he  was  called  upon  at  his  house  prior  to  the  meet- 
ing by  one  of  the  most  honored  members,  the  President  of  another  institution,  who, 
speaking  for  himself  and  others,  lU'ged  that  the  resignation  should  not  be  tendered.  The 
writer  had,  however,  too  long  considered  the  matter  to  readily  yield,  and  went  to  the 
meeting  firm  in  purpose  to  do  as  he  had  proposed.  To  his  greater  surprise  he  found 
there  not  only  a  very  vmusual  number  of  members,  but  many  who  had  not  been  in  the 
habit  of  attending.  What  was  read  as  a  valedictory  was  listened  to  with  gi'eat  attention, 
after  which  a  call  to  proceed  to  the  business  of  the  meeting  was  made.  Instead  of  res- 
ponding to  this  call,  one  after  another  of  those  whom  the  writer  most  respected,  addressed 
him  in  such  terms  of  affectionate  remonstrance  against  his  resignation,  as  to  induce  him 
not  only  to  withdraw  it,  but  to  feel  that  henceforth  what  had  been  regarded  as  a  burden 
would  be  a  joy,  that  the  performance  of  the  duties  of  his  office  would  be  sweetened  as 
never  before  by  the  recognition  that  the  respect  and  regard  which  he  felt  towards  all  the 
members  were  fully  reciprocated  by  them. 

The  \evy  laudatory  remarks  made  by  the  Custodian  upon  this  matter  the  writer  cannot 
present  here.  He  does  not  feel  at  liljerty  to  refrain  from  giving  one  paragraph  from  his 
Report. 

"  An  event,  which  in  its  results  was  very  satisfactory  to  the  officers  of  this  Society, 
occurred  at  the  meeting  when  the  President  offered   his  resignation.     1   nllude   to  the 


BOSTON   SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  181 

approbation  of  the  policy  which  had  governed  the  Society  during  his  presidency,  expi'essed 
by  many  of  our  most  influential  members.  The  officers  of  the  Society  felt  themselves  to 
be  identified  with  the  President  in  this  matter  ;  and  consequently,  the  ovation  which  he 
received,  and  the  absolutely  unanimous  vote  of  a  large  and  select  meeting  of  the  Society, 
requesting  him  to  withdraw  his  resignation,  were  peculiarly  grateful  to  them." 

At  the  annual  meeting  in  May,  very  important  alterations  were  made  in  the  Constitu- 
tion and  By-laws,  which  were  primarily  suggested  by  the  desire  on  the  part  of  many  that 
women  should  be  eligible  as  members  of  the  Society.  Others  objected  to  this,  partly 
because  of  the  necessity*  that  sometimes  arose  to  speak  upon  matters  not  appropriate  to 
discuss  in  the  presence  of  ladies.  Independently  of  considerations  affecting  the  admission 
of  women,  a  large  number  favored  the  creation  of  a  new  grade  of  members,  to  be  known 
as  Associate  iVIembers,  who  should  be  admitted  to  its  meetings  and  take  part  in  scientific 
discussions,  but  who  should  not  be  entitled  to  vote  for  the  officers  of  the  Society,  or  parti- 
cipate in  its  business  management.  All  those  hitherto  known  as  Resident  Members  to 
constitute  a  higher  grade  to  be  known  as  Corporate  Members.  New  admissions  to  this 
grade  only  to  be  by  election  from  Associate  Member's  of  at  least  a  year's  standing  and  who 
either  were  professionally  engaged  in  science,  or  had  aided  in  its  advancement. 

The  views  of  those  favoring  an  additional  grade  of  members  finally  prevailed.  They  had 
been  embodied  in  the  proposed  alterations  to  the  Constitution,  and  the  amendments  had 
received  the  requisite  three  fourths  vote  of  the  members  present  at  two  consecutive  meet- 
ings. They  were  finally  adopted  by  a  nearly  unanimous  vote.  In  the  proposed  alteration 
of  the  By-laws  made,  the  article  relating  to  the  election  of  Corporate  Members  had  been 
made  to  express,  by  a  vote  of  the  Society  at  the  previous  meeting,  that  only  male  Associ- 
ate Members  should  be  chosen.  When  final  action  was  called  for,  Mr.  Cummings  moved 
that  the  word  male  be  omitted.  After  much  discussion  the  motion  prevailed  by  a  vote  of 
forty-eight  to  twenty.     The  amendments  to  the  By-laws  were  then  adopted. 

Thus  after  much  deliberation  and  warm  discussion,  the  Society  finally  by  decisive  action 
ceased  to  make  any  sexual  discrimination  in  the  admission  of  members. 

At  the  election  of  officer's  no  changes  were  made,  all  serving  the  previous  year  having 
been  reelected. 

The  report  of  the  Custodian  was  as  usual  full  of  interest  to  the  members.  Of  the  Min- 
eralogical  collection,  it  was  said  that  accessions  had  been  made  by  the  purchase  of  some 
desirable  specimens  from  the  Jackson  collection  and  that  there  were  in  all  belonging  to 
the  department  3230  trays  and  single  specimens  on  exhibition,  347  of  which  were  in  the 
New  England  collection. 

In  referring  to  the  Botanical  collection,  it  was  stated  that  the  New  England  collection 
of  specimens  had  been  completed,  poisoned  and  catalogued  by  Miss  Carter,  and  that  it 
contained  nearly  every  species  found  within  the  New  England  States,  there  being  11)84, 
comprising  8227  specimens.     Much  work  had  also  been  done  upon  the  general  collection. 

The  preparation  of  the  leaves  and  stems  of  New  England  trees  and  shruljs  had  been 
placed  on  exhibition  by  the  donor,  Mr.  Edward  T.  Bouve,  filling,  with  the  accompanying 
wood  sections  and  specimens  of  fruit,  one  entire  gallery.  With  these  had  been  placed  a 
series  of  plates  from  the  last  edition  of  The  Trees  and  Shrubs  of  Massachusetts,  presented 
by  Mr.  George  B.  Emerson,  showing  the  natural  colors  of  the  leaves,  flowers  and  (ruit. 


182      ,  HISTORICAL  SKETCH    OF  THE 

Altogether,  the    Custodian  remarked,  this  collection  must  be  considered  one  of  the  most 
attractive  and  instructive  in  the  Museum. 

The  Bailey  Microscopical  collection  had  had  much  labor  devoted  to  it  by  Miss  Wash- 
burn, who  had  spent  the  greater  part  of  the  winter  in  cataloguing  it.  Dr.  Henry  Codman 
had  continued  his  work  upon  the  Burnett  collection  of  mounted  parasites.  In  the  Com- 
parative Anatomy  department,  Dr.  Thomas  Dwight  had  finished  the  incorporation  of  the 
Wyman  Anatomical  collection  with  that  of  the  Society,  and  had  prepared  many  sections 
showing  the  structure  of  bones  for  the  cabinet.  There  had  been  an  accession  of  the 
skeletons  of  a  large  sea-lion  and  of  two  fur  seals,  through  the  liberality  of  Captain 
Charles  Biyant,  the  superintendent  in  charge  of  the  Fur  Seal  Islands. 

A  collection  of  sponges  had  been  acquired  by  purchase  and  would  form  the  beginning  of 
a  collection  of  Protozoa.  Very  valuable  though  small  collections  of  Australian  sponges  had 
been  received  from  Dr.  W.  G.  Farlow  and  others,  making  the  dried  collection  of  these  ani- 
mals the  finest  in  this  country. 

The  collection  of  New  England  Fishes  had  been  considerably  enlarged  through  the  facil- 
ities afforded  the  Custodian  by  the  kindness  of  Prof.  S.  F.  Baird  of  the  U.  S.  Fish  Com- 
mission. 

In  the  department  of  Mollusca,  considerable  work  had  been  done  upon  models  by  the 
assistants  in  the  Museum,  and  Dr.  Brooks  had  Ijegun  the  preparation  of  an  accompanying 
suite  of  anatomical  preparations  for  each  model.  An  important  addition  had  been  made 
in  the  shape  of  suites  of  models  showing  the  principal  stages  in  the  development  of  the 
characteristic  types  of  the  Mollusca.  Dr.  P.  P.  Carpenter  had  continued  the  work  of  class- 
ifying and  labelling  the  shells. 

All  the  Annelids  had  been  reviewed,  sorted,  and  the  Entozoa  named  by  the  Custodian. 

The  Insects  had  received  much  attention  from  Mr.  Henshaw,  who  reported  that  the  en- 
tire collection  was  free  from  Anthroni.  To  the  collection  of  the  Mammalia,  a  fine  Polar 
bear  had  been  jjresented  by  Bishop  Williams,  the  skin  of  a  fine  grayhound  by  Mr.  Addison 
Child  and  a  specimen  of  the  celebrated  breed  of  Ancon  sheep  by  Mr.  George  William 
Bond. 

The  Custodian  mentioned  that  considerable  assistance  had  been  received  during  the 
year  from  the  voluntary  laljors  of  Mr.  Edward  G.  Gardner. 

During  the  year  another  room  had  been  fitted  up  with  improved  cases  for  the  reception 
of  New  England  fishes,  reptiles,  birds  and  mammals,  and  much  had  been  done  in  jirovid- 
ing  for  the  protection  of  the  Museum  against  fire.  A  large  service  pipe  had  been  intro- 
duced, which  would  give  an  ample  supply  of  water,  and  every  workroom  was  provided  with 
screw  faucets.  One  large  fiiucet  with  hose  attached  would  be  always  ready  in  the  cellar, 
and  three  sets  of  hose  had  been  distributed  about  the  building  for  use  in  any  emergency  in 
the  work-rooms.  On  the  roof  two  faucets,  one  on  eacli  wing,  had  been  placed,  to  which 
hose  could  be  attacheil.  Buckets  of  water,  with  a  Johnson  jDump  had  also  been  placed 
in  each  workroom,  and  three  i)atent  gas  machines  in  dilferent  parts  of  the  building. 

The  Custodian  spoke  of  continued  impi'ovement  in  tlie  condition  and  work  of  the  Lab- 
oratory under  tlie  management  of  Mr.  Crosby.  There  had  been  four  female  students, 
besides  the  usual  number  of  students  from  the  Technological  Institute. 


BOSTON  SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  183 

Tlie  Teachers'  School  of  Science  had  been  carried  on  through  the  liberahty  of 
Mr.  Cnmmings.  The  statement  of  the  results  is  given  almost  verbatim  from  the  Report 
of  the  Custodian  as  follows :  Fourteen  lectures  or  practical  lessons  in  Lithology  had  been 
given  by  Mr.  L.  S.  Burbank,  during  the  winter,  at  which  the  average  attendance  had  been 
about  90  out  of  100  members.  This  was  a  remarkable  fact,  considering  that  the  class  inclu- 
ded a  large  number  of  the  busiest  teachers,  the  masters  of  the  public  schools  of  Boston  and 
the  vicinity.  Each  member  of  the  class  was  provided  with  tools,  consisting  of  a  small 
hammer,  magnet,  file,  streak  stone  of  Arkansas  quartzite,  a  bottle  of  dilute  acid  with 
ru1>ber  stopper  and  glass  rod,  and  the  scale  of  hardness  previously  used  in  the  Mineralog- 
ical  class  of  the  preceding  winter.  All  these  were  purchased  by  the  members  of  the  class 
except  the  scale  of  hardness,  reserved  for  future  use.  One  hundred  sets  of  rock  speci- 
mens were  distributed  gratis,  aflfording  each  of  the  teachers  a  series.  Most  of  these  were 
large  enough  for  cabinet  specimens,  and  many  of  the  sets  had  been  placed  in  the  collec- 
tions of  the  city  schools,  and  used  ui  the  instruction  of  the  pupils.  The  sjaecimens  were 
largely  collected  in  Massachusetts.  The  course  was  supplemented  by  a  series  of  excur- 
sions for  field  work  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston. 

Of  the  Lowell  free  lectures  given  under  the  direction  of  the  Society  by  the  generosity 
of  John  Amory  Lowell,  Trustee,  four  courses  were  given  during  the  winter.  These 
courses  consisted  of  six  lectures,  by  Prof  E.  S.  Morse,  on  six  New  England  animals  and 
their  nearest  allies  ;  six  by  Pi'of  G.  L.  Goodale  on  Botany ;  six  l)y  Prof  T.  Sterry  Hunt 
on  Ancient  Eocks  of  North  America;  and  two  by  Mr.  L.  S.  Burbank  on  Mineral  Veins  and 
Ores.     The  course  on  Botany  was  the  best  attended,  the  numbers  present  averaging  192. 

The  additions  to  the  Library  during  the  year  had  been  327  volumes,  1108  parts  of  vol- 
umes, 217  pamphlets  and  67  maps  and  charts. 

Of  the  Publications  there  had  been  issued  two  parts  of  each  of  the  seventeenth  and 
eighteenth  volumes  of  the  Proceedings,  and  three  numbers  of  the  Memoirs.  A  second 
volume   of  the  Occasional  papers  had  also  been  published,  of  171  pages  and  21  plates. 

The  Report  of  the  Treasurer  exhibited  an  excess  of  expenditures  over  receipts  of 
$522.39. 

At  the  election  of  officers,  L.  F.  de  Pourtales  was  chosen  on  the  Committee  of 
Radiates,  Crustacea  and  Worms,  and  Jules  Marcou  on  the  Committee  of  Palaeontology. 

Walker  Prizes.  The  subject  for  which  the  annual  prizes  were  offered  for  this  year  was 
"  An  original  investigation  of  the  structure,  development,  and  mode  of  life  of  one  or  more 
of  the  fungi  whicli  injuriously  attaclv  useful  plants,  such  as  the  potato,  the  onion,  the 
cranberry,  etc.,  to  be  prefaced  by  an  exposition  of  our  present  knowledge  of  the  struc- 
ture and  development  of  the  lower  fungi."     No  essays  were  offered  on  this  subject. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Council  in  May,  a  vote  was  passed,  upon  the  motion  of  Prof  Shaler, 
that  no  existing  Council  shall  formally  or  informally  pledge  any  j^art  of  the  Society's 
income  for  a  future  year. 

During  the  summer  recess  this  year,  there  passed  away  by  death  one  of  the  original 
founders  of  the  Society,  Dr.  Walter  Channing. 

Dr.  Channing  was  not  only  one  of  the  original  auembers  of  tliis  Society,  but  he  was 
also  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Linnean  Society  which  preceded  it.  He  took  an  active 
part  in  the   early  formation  of  both.     Upon   the  organization  of  the  Boston  Society  of 


184  HISTORICAL   SKETCH   OF  THE 

Natural  History,  he  was  elected  one  of  its  Curators,  and  subsequently  became  one  of  its 
second  Vice-Presidents.  He  was  born  in  Newport,  R.  I.,  on  the  15th  of  April,  178G.  The 
celeljrated  Dr.  William  Ellery  Channing  was  his  eldest  brother,  and  Edward  T.  Channing, 
who  long  and  ably  fdled  the  chair  of  Rhetoric  in  Harvard  College,  was  a  younger 
brother.  Walter  entered  Harvard  College  in  1804,  but  did  not  graduate  from  there,  a 
great  rebellion  among  the  students  having  led  to  his  leaving  the  institution  and  devoting 
himself  to  the  study  of  medicine  in  Boston.  He  afterwards  pursued  this  study  with  great 
zeal  in  the  schools  of  Philadelphia,  Edinburgh,  and  London.  In  1812  he  established  him- 
self in  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Boston,  and  in  the  same  year  was  appointed  Lec- 
turer in  Obstetrics  at  the  Medical  College.  Three  years  later  he  1)ecame  Professor  there 
of  that  branch  of  medical  practice,  the  duties  of  which  j^osition  he  performed  for  nearly 
forty  years. 

In  the  practice  of  liis  profession  Dr.  Clianning  exhibited  marked  ability,  especially  in 
the  deijartment  to  which  he  gave  particular  attention.  In  the  reform  movements  of  his 
day  he  took  great  interest,  and  his  pen  and  voice  were  very  active  in  advocating  them. 
In  social  life  he  was  genial,  and  had  the  rare  gift  of  being  aljle  at  all  times  to  interest  lis- 
teners by  the  brilliancy  of  his  conversation,  enlivened  as  it  ever  was  by  ready  wit. 

A  characteristic  anecdote  is,  that  when  asked  by  a  stranger  who  wished  to  see  his  more 
eminent  brother,  if  he  was  the  Dr.  Channing  who  preached,  he  replied,  "No!  it  is  my 
brother  who  preaches ;  I  practice." 

Dr.  Channing  died  iu  Brookline,  Mass.,  on  the  2Tth  of  July,  187G,  at  the  age  of  90 
years. 

In  October  the  attention  of  the  Council  being  called  to  the  fact  that  at  the  meetings  of 
the  section  of  Microscopy  the  attendance  had  become  very  small,  a  vote  was  passed  to 
discontinue  the  notification  of  them. 

Edward  Pickering. 

At  the  meeting,  December  Gth,  President  Bouve  addressing  the  members,  remarked ; 
"  The  Society  is  called  to  deplore  the  loss  of  a  valuahle  member  and  officer  in  the  death  of 
our  late  Treasurer,  Edward  Pickering.  Previously  to  our  last  meeting,  Mr.  Pickering  had 
been  ill  for  a  day  or  two  from  a  trouble  in  his  throat  affecting  the  vocal  organs,  and 
making  it  painful  for  him  to  converse  freely,  but  he  kept  aljout  his  usual  occupations  until 
a  few  hours  before  we  met,  when  feeling  unable  to  l)e  with  us,  he  sent  to  me  his  regular 
financial  statement  for  presentation  to  the  Council  in  the  evening.  The  trouble  with  him 
seemed  sunilar  to  that  he  had  before  experienced,  and  there  appeared  no  reason  to 
anticipate  its  sad  result. 

"  All,  I  am  sure,  were  surprised  and  shocked  to  learn  on  the  following  Tuesday  that  he 
had  passed  away  early  that  morning.  Mr.  Pickering,  though  not  strictly  speaking,  a  scien- 
tific man,  was  much  interested  in  whatever  conduced  to  the  education  of  the  community, 
and  he  consequently  felt  great  interest  in  tlic  well  being  of  the  Society.  He  became  a 
member  in  1860,  since  which,  he  has  always  been  a  regular  attendant  on  our  meetings, 
and  I  think,  from  his  highly  appreciative  mind,  enjoj-ed  much  the  proceedings.  In  1865, 
he  was  elected  Treasurer  of  the  Society  and  he  became  also  ex-officio  one  of  the  Trustees, 


BOSTON  SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  185 

meeting  the  requirements  of  these  positions  with  great  devotion  and  efficiency.  Our  de- 
parted friend  acquired  the  high  respect  of  all  who  knew  him,  by  his  general  intelligence, 
his  marked  integrity,  and  his  faithfulness  to  all  the  duties  of  the  various  offices  he  was 
called  upon  to  fill,  and  he  won  the  love  of  all  who  knew  him  intimately  by  his  kindly 
sympathy  and  his  Christian  gentleness." 

On  motion  of  Messrs.  Scudder  and  Hyatt,  it  was  voted  that  the  Secretary  send  a  copy  of 
Mr.  Bouve's  remarks  to  the  family  of  Mr.  Pickering,  as  an  ex  pression  of  the  Society's  re- 
spect and  regard  for  him. 

In  December  a  very  fine  cast  from  the  bust  of  Prof  Louis  Agassiz,  by  Preston  Powers, 
was  presented  to  the  Society  by  the  Rev.  R.  C.  Waterston . 

In  Council  a  vote  was  passed  allowing  the  use  of  the  Laboratory  of  the  Society  to  the 
Boston  University  for  instruction  in  Zoology ;  the  lessons  to  be  given  by  Mr.  Hyatt,  as 
Professor  of  the  Technological  Institute,  or  his  assistant  Mr .  Crosby,  and  a  suitable  rent 
to  be  paid  the  Society. 

1877.  In  January  of  this  year,  the  death  of  Mr.  F.  B.  Meek  of  Washington,  a  Corre- 
sponding Member,  and  one  of  the  most  eminent  of  American  palaeontologists,  was  an- 
nounced by  the  Secretary.  At  the  next  meeting  the  following  resolutions  were  passed 
by  the  Society. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  members  of  the  Society  have  heard  with  the  deepest  regret  of  the 
decease  of  one  of  the  most  highly  esteemed  of  their  Corresponding  Members,  Mr.  F.  B. 
Meek  of  Washington.  Their  admiration  can  add  but  little  to  his  reputation,  which  is 
secured  by  the  numerous  works  of  which  he  has  been  the  author.  They  feel,  however, 
that  a  testimonial  is  due  from  them  to  the  memory  of  a  man  whose  knowledge  of  the  whole 
field  of  American  palaeontology  was  unsurpassed,  and  whose  life  was  a  model  of  laborious 
special  investigation  and  therefore  unrewarded  by  public  commendation.  As  students  of 
natural  history,  they  desire  also  to  record  their  respect  for  a  life  of  such  modest  simplicity 
and  devotion  to  science  for  its  own  sake,  that  it  merits,  and  will,  it  is  hoped,  receive  the 
highest  praise  from  the  hands  of  Mr.  Meek's  fellow  laborei's. 

"  Resolved,  That  this  resolution  be  recorded  in  the  Proceedings  of  this  Society  and  that 
copies  be  forwarded  to  the  friends  of  the  deceased." 

At  a  meeting  of  tlie  Society  February  2d,  Charles  W.  Scudder  was   elected    Treasurer. 

In  Council  a  vote  was  passed  to  procure  a  crayon  of  the  late  President,  Dr.  Jeffries 
Wyman,  of  life  size,  with  a  suitable  frame.  This  was  subsequently  done,  and  the  fine 
portrait  obtained  may  now  be  seen  in  the  Library  room  of  the  Museum. 

This  body  also  upon  hearing  that  another  attempt  was  to  be  made  to  obtain  a  license 
for  the  exhibition  of  Jourdain's  anatomical  collection,  again  successfully  remonstrated 
against  one  being  granted,  on  the  ground  that  it  would  be  subversive  of  public  morals. 

In  March,  the  President  announced  the  death  of  Mr.  Edward  Bicknell,  the  well-known 
Microscopist,  and  for  several  years  a  member  of  the  Council  of  the  Society. 

A  petition  having  been  presented  to  the  Conned  that  the  Museum  of  the  Society  should 
be  opened  to  the  public  on  Sunday's,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  take  the  matter 
into  consideration  and  to  report  upon  the  subject.  This  committee  consisted  of  three, 
the  President  being  of  the  number.  At  the  next  meeting,  the  committee  reported 
adversely,  on  the  ground  mainly  that  the  Society  could  not  aff"ord  the  additional  expense 
that  would  be  incurred  by  compliance.     The  report  was  approved  unanimously. 

In  March  also  of  this  year.  Dr.  B.  Joy  Jeffries  called  the  attention  of  the  Society  to  the 


186  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 

necessity  of  action  on  the  part  of  the  United  States  Government  to  prevent  accidents  by 
reason  of  color  blindness  in  the  army,  navy  and  merchant  service,  and  the  need  of  the 
State  governments  also  taking  measures  to  prevent  casualties  on  the  railroads  from  the 
same  cause.  Whilst  the  possible  danger  arising  from  color  blindness  had  been  mentioned 
before,  this  was  the  fii'st  time  in  this  country  that  the  necessity  of  control  on  the  part  of 
the  authorities  was  brought  forward  and  urged.  The  action  of  the  government.  State  and 
National,  and  of  tlie  railroad  corporations  since,  has  proved  Dr.  Jeffries'  position  correct. 

In  April,  the  Legislature  of  the  State  having  authorized  the  licensing  of  such  persons  to 
shoot  birds  for  scientific  purposes  as  the  Society  might  designate,  a  committee  was  ap- 
pointed, consisting  of  the  Custodian,  Mr.  Hyatt,  Dr.  Thomas  M.  Brewer  and  Mr.  J.  A.  Al- 
len, to  issue  certificates  to  such  persons  as  they  deemed,  upon  due  enquir3-,  proper  to 
receive  such  license. 

Many  persons  desiring  admission  to  the  Museum  on  other  days  than  public  days,  the 
Council  voted  to  admit  such  as  the  Custodian  judged  proper,  upon  the  payment  of  a  small 
entrance  fee,  to  cover  such  additional  expense  as  might  be  incurred  thereby. 

At  the  annual  meeting  in  May,  the  reports  of  the  Custodian,  and  of  the  Secretary,  made 
in  accordance  with  a  new  provision  in  the  By-laws,  were  presented.  An  abstract  from 
these  follows. 

During  the  year  one  additional  room  had  been  fitted  up  with  new  cases  and  brackets,  for 
the  reception  especially  of  the  birds  and  mammals  of  the  systematic  collection.  For  fur- 
ther protection  against  loss  by  fire,  telegraphic  communication  had  been  established  with 
the  fire  engine  house  on  Dartmouth  Street  by  which,  in  case  of  necessity,  engines  could 
be  had  for  service  at  the  building  within  a  few  minutes  after  giving  an  alarm. 

The  Teacers'  School  of  Science  was  continued,  as  in  previous  years,  by  the  liberality  of 
Mr.  Cummings.  The  only  course  of  lessons  given,  was  by  Prof.  Goodale  of  Harvard  Col- 
lege, but  this  was  a  very  comprehensive  one,  comprising  twenty-one  lectures  on  Morpho- 
logical, Physiological  and  Systematic  Botany.  The  lessons  were,  as  usual,  illustrated  by 
specimens  which  were  distributed  to  the  puj^ils.  By  the  use  of  blank  forms,  which  were 
given  with  the  flowers,  each  teacher  was  enabled  to  analyse  the  specimens  independently 
and  record  his  observations,  thus  preventing  confusion  and  allowing  the  instructor  to 
cover  more  ground  than  would  otherwise  have  been  possible.  The  analysis  of  the 
flowers  for  the  determination  of  the  peculiarities  of  the  floral  structure  by  each  teacher, 
was  regarded  by  Prof.  Goodale  as  an  important  element  in  the  instruction  given.  The 
attendance  was  large,  averaging  one  hundred. 

In  the  Laboratory  much  work  had  been  done  of  a  satisfactory  character.  The  collec- 
tions for  the  use  of  students  had  been  largely  increased,  and  it  was  hoped  they  might  be 
made  complete  before  another  year.  The  room  and  the  collections  had  been  profitably 
used  by  students  of  the  Institute  of  Technology  and  of  the  Boston  University. 

The  condition  of  the  collections  was  reported  to  be  good,  and  the  pi-ogress  made  in 
arrangement,  labelling,  etc.,  quite  satisfactory. 

In  the  Mineral  department  the  only  change  made  was  by  the  addition  of  new  specimens, 
the  greater  portion  of  which  had  been  presented  by  the  President. 

In  the  Palaeoutological  department  under  the  charge  of  Mr.  Crosby,  much  had  been 
done  by  Miss  Carter  and  Miss  Washburn,  for  whose  very  valuable  services  the  So- 
ciety was  indebted  to  the  generosity  of  Mr.  John  Cummings.     The  former  had  mounted, 


BOSTON   SOCIETY   OF  NATUKAL   HISTORY.  187 

catalogued,  labelled  and  placed  on  exhibition,  all  the  fossils  of  the  Triassic  and  the  Cre- 
taceous periods,  together  with  the  larger  part  of  the  European  Jurassic  ;  whilst  the  latter 
had  re-arranged,  catalogued,  and  re-labelled  all  the  fossils  from  the  Devonian  to  the  Cre- 
taceous periods  inclusive.  A  great  amount  of  work  too  had  been  done  in  identifying  the 
new  specimens,  the  additions  to  the  collection  having  been  very  numerous.  The  Jurassic, 
Triassic,  and  Carboniferous  plants  of  North  America  had  been  tripled  in  number  and 
value  by  accessions  from  the  Rogers  collection,  and  the  Devonian  and  Cretaceous  fossils 
much  increased  by  additions  from  the  Hale  and  Cleveland  collections. 

The  Botanical  department,  under  the  charge  of  Mr.  Cummings,  had  received  much  at- 
tention, and  great  progress  had  been  made  in  the  revision  of  the  general  collection  by  Miss 
Carter. 

The  collection  of  the  department  of  Comparative  Anatomy  had  had  much  labor  bestowed 
upon  it  by  Mr.  Van  Vleck.  More  work  was  necessary  upon  this  collection  than  antici- 
pated, and  there  yet  remained  much  to  do  before  its  arrangement  would  be  completed. 

The  cataloguing  of  the  Microscopical  collection  had  been  tiuished  by  Miss  Washlmrn 
early  in  the  year.  The  whole  was  reported  as  consisting  of  26U(J  slides  and  preparations ; 
of  these,  567  were  preparations  of  parasitic  insects  acquired  by  purchase  from  the  Burnett 
estate  ;  1838  were  received  in  the  bequest  of  Professor  Bailey,  and  consisted  largely  of  for- 
aniiniferae  and  diatoms;  135  were  miscellaneous  preparations  of  worms,  Crustacea  and 
embryos  of  various  kinds,  prepared  by  Mr.  J.  H.  Emerton  when  assistant  in  the  Museum, 
and  113  were  preparations  of  the  anatomy  and  skeletons  of  sponges,  prepared  by  Mr. 
Crosby  and  the  Custodian.  Besides  these,  there  was  reported  a  great  quantity  of  un- 
mounted material.  Subsequently  to  the  close  of  Miss  Washburn's  work,  the  collection 
was  enriched  by  the  presentation  to  it  of  477  slides  prepared  by  Mr.  William  Glen,  for- 
merly of  the  Museiun  of  Comparative  Zoology  of  Cambridge.  These  were  purchased  and 
given  to  the  Society  by  Mr.  R.  C.  Greenleaf  and  Dr.  A.  D.  Sinclair.  This  collection  was 
especially  rich  in  sections  of  the  spines  of  Echini  and  the  tongues  of  MoUusks.  Including 
this  accession  and  some  specimens  of  miscellaneous  character  presented  by  Messrs.  E.  Sam- 
uels, C.  S.  Busch  and  others,  the  Society  collection  was  reported  as  containing,  exclusive 
of  duplicate  material,  3356  slides  and  preparations. 

The  collection  of  Corals  and  Echinoderms  was  reported  as  undergoing  revision  by  Mr. 
Van  Vleck,  who  was  likewise  prej^aring  the  specimens  for  labelling.  The  Poriferae  were 
receiving  the  same  attention  from  the  Custodian. 

In  the  MoUuscan  department  valuable  work  had  been  continued  by  Dr.  W.  K.  Brooks 
upon  the  models  of  the  animals,  anatomical  preparations  of  them,  and  in  explanatory  out- 
line drawings.  He  had  also  completed  the  re-arrangement  of  the  shells.  Much  to  the 
regret  of  the  Society,  Dr.  Brooks  removed  to  Baltimore,  having  been  appointed  assis- 
tant professor  in  the  Johns  Hopkins  University.  After  his  departure  the  work  upon  the 
collection  of  the  MoUusca  was  continued  under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Van  Vleck,  who  re- 
ported that  about  one  third  of  the  specimens  on  exhibition  had  been  re-labelled  by  Miss 
Washburn.  Dr.  P.  P.  Carpenter  of  Montreal  had  continued  the  work  of  identification 
and  had  completed  a  large  part  of  the  terrestrial  shells. 

In  the  Entomological  department  Mr.  Henshaw  had  continued  his  valuable  labors. 
The  New  England  collection  of  the  Coleoptera  had  been  completed,  and  the  Neurop- 
tera,  Orthoptera,  Hymenoptera  and  Lepidoptex-a  re-arranged.     Very  important  additions 


188  HISTORICAL   SKETCH  OF  THE 

to  the  collection  of  Coleoptera  had  been  made  from  the  collection  of  Mr.  Spragne,  the 
late  assistant  of  the  Museum.  The  Society  was  permitted,  in  accordance  with  the 
verbal  request  of  Mr.  Sprague,  to  select  from  the  specimens  left  by  him  all  that  might 
be  valuable  to  its  collection,  and  thus  additions  were  made  to  it  of  GOO  species  and  2000 
specimens. 

A  revision  of  all  the  New  England  collections  at  this  time  showed  them  to  consist  of 
Hymenoptera,  157  species;  Lepidoptera,  711  species;  Coleoptera,  1810  species;  Orthop- 
tera,  59  species  ;  Neuroptera,  65  species. 

To  Dr.  Hagen  the  Society  was  indebted  for  a  revision  and  identification  of  all  the  Neu- 
roptera, and  to  Mr.  Biu-gess  for  the  revision  and  identification  of  the  Diptera  of  the  Harris 
collection.  The  entire  Harris  collection  had  been  transferred  to  the  new  style  of  boxes, 
and  was  considered  safe  from  the  ravages  of  Antlu'eni.  It  is  due  to  Mr.  Henshaw  to  state 
that  he  voluntarily  gave  professional  labor  in  the  dejaartment  of  Entomology,  equal  to 
about  seven  hovu"s  daily  during  the  year,  the  means  of  tlie  Society  not  enabling  it  to  ade- 
quately compensate  him  for  his  services. 

The  alcoholic  collection  of  Reptiles  had  been  sent  to  the  Museum  of  Comparative  Zool- 
ogy for  identification  by  Mr.  Garman,  who  had  kindly  consented  to  examine  and  name 
them.  It  was  understood  too,  that  under  the  instruction  of  Mr.  Alexander  Agassiz,  the 
director,  he  would  add  such  species  from  the  duplicates  of  the  Museum  as  were  needed  in 
the  collection  of  the  Society.  Mr.  Garman  had  already  been  instrumental  in  increasing 
our  collection  of  fishes  in  the  same  manner,  and  the  Society  had  to  some  extent  I'ecipi'o- 
cated  the  favor  by  sparing  specimens  from  its  duplicates. 

The  Custodian  closed  his  remarks  i;pon  the  collections  of  the  Museum  by  stating  that 
there  was  now  a  New  England  collection  in  every  department,  and  that  there  was  a  great 
need  of  a  new  gallery  around  the  main  hall,  which  should  be  devoted  exclusively  to  the 
New  England  departm  ent,  so  that  a  visitor  coidd  see  arranged  in  one  continuous  series  all 
the  natural  products  of  New  England.  It  is  certainly  a  matter  to  be  deeply  regretted  that 
the  Society  has  not  since  been  able  to  put  up  such  a  gallery  as  suggested  by  the  Custodian. 

Fi'om  the  Secretary's  Eeport,  the  following  is  given:  to  the  Library  there  had  been 
added  of  volumes,  357  ;  parts  of  volumes,  977  ;  pamphlets,  188 ;  maps,  charts  and  pho- 
tographs, 98;  making  1(320  accessions  in  all.  Nothing  had  been  done  in  binding  for  want 
of  the  necessary  means.  The  use  of  the  Library  seemed  to  be  regularly  increasing.  Dur- 
ing the  year  1019  Ijooks  had  been  borrowed  by  119  persons. 

The  publications  of  the  Society  had  been  considerably  less  than  during  previous  years. 
Two  parts,  concluding  Vol.  XVIII,  of  the  Proceedings,  had  been  issued,  and  the  first  part 
of  Vol.  XIX  was  in  press.  Of  the  Memoirs,  the  second  part  of  Prof.  Hyatt's  Revision  of 
North  American  Poriferae  was  in  pi'ess. 

The  meetings  of  the  Society  had  been  well  attended,  and  the  interest  in  the  commun- 
ications presented  well  sustained.  In  consequence  of  the  formation  of  the  Boston  Micro- 
scopical Society,  the  section  of  Microscopy  had  been  given  up.  The  section  of  Entomol- 
ogy had  held  monthly  meetings,  with  a  small  but  regular  attendance. 

The  Section  of  Botany  formed  within  tbe  year  had  held  bi-monthly  meetings,  and  these 
liad  been  fairly  attended. 

During  the  year  four  Corresponding  Members,  six  Resident,  under  the  old  Constitution, 
and  twenty-five  Associate  Members  under  the  new  Constitution,  had  been  elected- 


BOSTON  SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  189 

Of  the  Lowell  free  courses  of  lectures,  there  had  been  given  under  the  direction  of  the 
Society  ;  six  on  Comparative  Embryology,  by  Dr.  Chas.  S.  Minot ;  four  on  North  Amer- 
ican Archaeology  and  Ethnology,  by  F.  W.  Putnam;  three  by  Maj.  J.  W.  Powell  on  the 
Gallons  of  the  Colorado,  Indian  Life  in  the  Rocky  Mountains,  and  Indian  Mythology  ; 
six  by  Prof.  N.  S.  Shaler,  on  the  Geological  problems  of  Boston  and  its  vicinity  ;  and 
five  by  S.  H.  Scudder  on  the  Organization  and  Metamorphoses  of  Butterflies.  The 
courses  were  very  interesting  and  well  attended. 

From  the  report  of  the  Treasurer  there  was  an  excess  of  receipts  over  expenditures 
of  $1081. 12,  the  most  of  which,  however,  it  was  necessary  to  reserve  for  Prize  pur- 
poses in  accordance  with  the  conditions  of  the  Walker  bequest. 

At  the  election  of  officers  for  the  ensuing  year  the  only  changes  made  were  as  follows : 

In  the  department  of  Microscopy,  Samuel  Wells  was  chosen  on  the  Committee,  in 
place  of  Edwin  Bicknell  deceased,  and  in  the  department  of  Fishes  and  Reptiles,  S.  W. 
Garman  was  chosen  in  place  of  Richard  Bliss,  Jr. 

It  is  pleasant  to  observe  the  persistent  efforts  made  to  prevent  the  expenditures  of  the 
Sociefy  from  exceeding  its  income.  At  the  first  meeting  of  the  Council,  after  the  annual 
meeting  of  the  Society,  the  Trustees  reported  that  after  a  careful  examination  of  the 
invested  funds,  they  estimated  the  income  for  the  year  then  commencing,  applicable  to 
the  general  purposes  of  the  Society,  as  not  likely  to  exceed  $8500.  "  To  all  who  are 
conversant  with  the  state  of  affixirs  in  the  business  world,"  they  said,  "the  estimated  reduc- 
tion from  the  income  of  the  past  year  will  not  be  surprising,  though  most  unwelcome. 
Let  us  be  thankful  it  is  no  larger,  and  by  a  wise  and  careful  economy  endeavor  to  dis- 
charge the  manifest  duty  of  keeping  our  exjjenditures  within  the  limits  of  our  income." 
The  following  appropriations  were  recommended : 

For  salaries  and  wages,  |6000 ;  gas  and  fuel,  |400;  general  expenses,  $900  j  cabinet, 
|300;  publications,  |900. 

These  appropriations  allowed  of  no  contingences,  but  it  seemed  impossible  to  lessen  any 
of  them. 

Walker  rrizes.  In  October  of  this  year  the  first  prize  of  sixty  dollars  was  awarded  to 
Mr.  C.  Riley,  for  his  essay  upon  the  subject  proposed  for  this  year,  viz.  :  A  complete 
life  history  of  the  army  worm,  Leucania  unipunctata,  and  its  parasites. 

In  November  the  Laboratory  of  the  Museum  w\as  rented  to  the  Technological  Institute 
for  a  course  of  thirty  lectures,  upon  the  payment  of  ninety  dollars. 

1878.  In  March  of  this  year  occurred  the  death  of  Dr.  Charles  Pickering,  a  greatly  re- 
spected member  of  the  Society,  whose  interest  in  its  proceedings  had  been  for  many  years 
manifested'by  constant  attendance  at  the  meetings  and  often  by  taking  part  in  them.  A 
man  of  very  remarkable  scientific  acquirements,  and  of  personal  chai'acter  corresponding 
to  his  intellectual  attainments,  he  merits  more  than  a  passing  notice. 

Dr.   Charles   Pickering. 

Dr.  Charles  Pickering  was  born  at  Starucca,  Susquehanna  County.  Pcnns^dvania,  No- 
vember 10th,  1805.  His  fixther,  Timothy  Pickering,  Jr.,  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Octo- 
ber 1st,  1779,  graduated  at  Harvard  College,  entered  the  navy,  served  creditably  as  mid- 
shipman under  Decatur,  and  resigned  in  1801.     His  grandfather  was  Colonel  Timothy 


190  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 

Pickering  of  the  Eevolutionary  Army,  a  friend  of  "Washington,  and  a  meml^er  of  his  Cab- 
inet. The  Colonel  had  acquired  large  tracts  of  '"  wild  land "  in  western  Pennsylvania, 
and  after  retiring  from  the  Cabinet,  removed  thither  with  his  son,  whose  wife,  Mrs. 
Lnrena  Pickering,  subsequently  became  the  mother  of  the  suljject  of  this  notice  and  his 
brother  Edward. 

In  the  year  1809,  Timothy  Pickering,  Jr.  died,  and  his  flxther  afterwards  returiied  to 
Massachusetts,  settling  in  Wenham,  near  Salem.  He  brought  with  him  his  son's  wife  and 
her  two  boys,  and  it  was  under  his  supervision  and  that  of  their  mother,  an  admirable 
woman,  that  they  were  brought  up. 

Charles  early  showed  a  taste  for  natural  history,  roaming  about  the  country  in  search  of 
birds,  eggs,  insects,  plants  and  quadrupeds,  with  specimens  of  which  he  would  return  from 
his  excursions  loaded.  He  entered  Harvard  College  in  1823,  but  did  not  graduate  with 
his  class,  subsequently  taking  the  degree  of  M.  D.  at  the  Medical  School  in  1826.  His 
love  for  natural  science  increased  with  his  years,  and  while  living  at  Salem,  he  was  asso- 
ciated with  William  Oakes  in  botanical  investigation,  and  it  is  thought  that  the  two  first 
explored  the  White  Mountains  together. 

He  was  elected  a  correspondent  of  the  Academy  of  Natural  Sciences  of  Philadelphia, 
November  28th,  182G,  in  the  twenty-second  year  of  his  age;  and  the  next  year  he  removed 
to  Philadelphia,  and  became  a  member  of  that  Society.  The  scope  of  his  various  scientific 
attainments,  even  at  that  early  period  of  his  life,  may  be  estimated  from  the  fact  that  he 
served  on  the  Zoological  Committee  for  ten  years  (from  December  25th,  1829);  on  the 
Botanical  Committee  for  eight  years,  half  this  time  as  chairman  ;  on  the  Publication  Com- 
mittee four  years;  on  the  Library  Committee  a  year;  as  Librarian  five  years,  and  as  Cu- 
rator for  four  years,  discharging  all  the  duties  of  these  several  positions  with  the  utmost 
faithfulness  and  efficiency. 

He  prejiared  a  Catalogue  of  American  Plants  in  the  Academy's  collection,  in  1834, 
and  was  intrusted  with  the  transfer  of  the  great  collection  of  plants  bequeathed  to  the 
Society  by  Von  Schweinitz.  His  great  services  in  collecting  and  arranging  the  extensive 
herbarium  of  the  Society,  merited  and  received  its  thanks,  presented  through  a  resolution 
unanimously  passed  on  motion  of  Prof.  Henry  D.  Rogers.  He  also  was  made  the  recip- 
ient of  the  grateful  thanks  of  the  Society  on  motion  of  Dr.  Samuel  George  Morton,  for 
his  services  in  selecting  from  Mr.  Maclure's  library  the  2300  volumes  designed  for  the 
Academy. 

He  was  elected  a  member  of  the  American  Philosophical  Society,  January  15th,  1828, 
having  previously  (Oct.  19th,  1827),  read  before  this  Society  his  paper  ''  On  the  Geograph- 
ical Distribution  of  Plants."  He  was  a  member  of  the  Yale  Natural  History  Society,  and 
read,  conjointly  with  James  H.  Dana,  before  that  Society  the  "  Descrijition  of  a  Crustaceous 
Animal,  Ijclonging  to  the  genus  Caligus,  C.  Americanus,"  published  in  Silliman's  Journal, 
Vol.  XXXVlll.  He  served  as  Recording  Secretary  of  the  Pennsylvania  Horticultural 
Society,  from  February  1830,  till  Sej^tember  1837. 

On  the  organization  of  the  U.  S.  Exploring  Expedition  under  Lieutenant  Charles 
Wilkes,  Dr.  Pickering's  reputation  was  such  that  he  was  at  once  selected  as  chief  zoolo- 
gist, and  placed  on  board  the  flagship  Vinceunes.  The  expedition  sailed  from  Hampton 
Roads,  Aug.  19th,  1838,  and  on  its  return  reached  Sandy  Hook,  June  10th,  1842.  Dur- 
ing the  four  years'  voyage,  Dr.  Pickering  turned  his  attention  to  anthropology  and  to  the 


BOSTON  SOCIETY  OF   NATURAL  HISTORY.  191 

study  of  the  geological  distribution  of  animals  and  plants ;  especially  to  the  latter,  as 
affected  by,  or  as  evidence  of,  the  operations,  movements  and  difiusion  of  the  races  of  man. 
To  the  collections  and  investigations  of  Dr.  Pickering  and  Professor  Dana,  the  scientific 
fame  of  the  expedition  is  principally  due. 

In  October,  1843,  Dr.  Pickering  again  went  abroad,  visiting  during  his  tour  Egypt, 
Arabia,  India,  and  eastern  Africa,  more  particularly  for  the  purpose  of  verifying  obser- 
vations made  while  with  the  Exploring  Expedition.  On  his  return  he  settled  in  Boston, 
and  occupied  himself  in  preparing  his  "  Races  of  Man  and  their  Geographical  Distribu- 
tion," published  in  1848,  being  Volume  XT,  of  the  Exploring  Expedition.  In  1850, 
appeared  in  the  "  Edinburgh  New  Philosophical  Journal,"  his  "  Enumei'ation  of  the  Eaces 
of  Man." 

In  1854,  his  work  "The  Geographical  Distribution  of  Animals  and  Plants,"  was  pub- 
lij^hed.     This  work  constituted  Volume  XV  of  the  Exploring  Expedition. 

The  proceedings  of  the  American  Academy  of  Arts  and  Sciences,  contain  the  following 
articles  by  Dr.  Pickering :  Observations  on  the  Egyptian  Computation  of  Time,  appearing 
in  October,  1849;  on  the  Egyptian  Astronomical  Cycle,  in  May,  1850  ;  on  Sulpliur  Vapor, 
in  December,  1856 ;  on  the  Coptic  Alphabet,  in  March,  1859 ;  on  the  Geographical  Distri- 
Ijution  of  Species,  in  March  1859,  and  December  I860;  and  on  the  Jewish  Calendar,  in 
October,  1864. 

In  June,  1867,  he  prepared  a  paper  "  On  the  CJliddon  Mummy  case  in  the  Museum  of 
the  Smithsonian  Institution,"  published  in  Volume  XVI  of  the  Smithsonian  Contributions 
to  Knowledge. 

In  1876,  was  published  at  Salem  the  "Geographical  Distribution  of  Animals  and  Plants; 
Part  II ;  Plants  in  their  Wild  State." 

The  great  work  of  his  life  was  "  The  Chronological  History  of  Plants."  This  truly 
remarkable  production,  to  which  he  had  devoted  sixteen  years  of  indomitable  industry 
and  lal:)orious  research,  was  going  through  the  press  at  his  own  expense  at  the  time  of 
his  death.  While  the  form  in  which  it  is  cast  will  prevent  its  use  as  a  book  for  popular 
study,  to  the  thorough  student  and  teacher  it  must  ever  be  unequalled  as  an  exhaust- 
ive authority  on  the  subjects  of  which  it  treats. 

Dr.  Pickering  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History,  Marcli 
3d,  1858.  As  a  member,  his  attendance  upon  meetings  was  constant,  and  his  communica- 
tions, whether  elaborately  written  out,  or  merely  remarks  upon  the  subject  at  the  time 
before  the  Society,  were  always  indicative  of  thorough  knowledge  and  acquaintance  with 
the  matter.  The  range  of  his  general  information  was  very  extensive,  and  whether  he 
was  speaking  of  Feejeau  pottery,  or  rare  botanical  forms  found  in  the  mountains  of  New 
England ;  of  the  character  of  the  alluvial  deposits  of  South  American  rivers,  or  the  origin 
of  the  Esquimaux  ;  whatever  he  might  have  to  say  was  interesting  and  instructive  in  a 
high  degree.  Most  of  the  present  members  of  the  Society  will  recall  his  controversy 
with  the  late  Dr.  Thomas  M.  Brewer,  relative  to  the  introduction  of  the  European  spar- 
row, in  which  Dr.  Pickering  took  very  strong  ground  adversely  to  the  naturalization  of 
the  bird,  quoting  a  formidable  array  of  authorities  in  support  of  his  position,  and  predic- 
ting very  undesirable  results  in  case  the  proposed  experiment  should  be  attempted — anil 
prove  successful — as  to  the  ability  of  the  sparrow  to  exist  in  this  climate. 


192  HISTORICAL   SKETCH   OF  THE 

Dr.  Pickering,  while  it  could  be  truly  said  of  him  by  one  of  his  biographers,  that  there 
was  jjrobably  not  a  more  learned  naturalist  in  the  world,  was  yet  one  of  the  most  modest 
of  men.  His  simplicity  of  character,  inflexible  integrity,  loyalty  to  truth,  tranquillity 
of  temper,  and  kindly  though  somewhat  reserved  disposition,  were  thoroughly  consistent 
with  his  great  and  extremely  accurate  acquirements,  and  that  love  of  knowledge  which 
was  his  grand  passion.  The  following  extract  from  a  biographical  notice  published  with 
his  "  Chronological  History  of  Plants,"  speaks  thus  of  him : 

"  We  doubt  if  any  one  naturalist  ever  united  in  himself  so  fixr  as  he  did,  the  qualities  of 
an  exact  original  observer  on  the  most  enlarged  scale,  and  of  an  inquirer  into  all  that  had 
been  learned  before.  His  minute,  laborious  and  extended  explorations  into  all  possible 
records  of  past  ages,  seemed  of  themselves  more  than  enough  for  the  work  of  a  lifetime. 
*  *  *  He  not  only  visited  every  quarter  of  the  earth,  but  went  through  the  whole  range 
of  history,  wherever  it  could  bear  upon  his  subject,  in  quest  of  anything  that  might  help 
him  better  to  understand  "  The  Races  of  Man  and  their  Geographical  Distribution," 
"  The  Geographical  Distribution  of  Animals  and  Plants,"  and  ''  The  Chronological  History 
of  Plants." 

Dr.  Pickering  married  in  1851,  Sarah  S.,  daughter  of  the  late  Daniel  Hammond,  Esq. 
He  died  of  pneumonia,  in  Boston,  March  17th,  1878,  leaving  a  widow  but  no  children. 

In  April  the  death  of  Prof  C.  F.  Hartt,  a  highly  valued  Corresponding  Member  of  the 
Society,  was  announced.  As  he  was  for  some  time  an  active  member  of  the  Society,  it 
is  due  to  the  eminence  attained  by  him  as  a  scientific  explorer  and  investigator,  to  give 
some  account  of  the  great  work  achieved  by  him  in  the  short  time  of  his  active  life. 
The  sketch  here  presented  is  drawn  entirely  from  an  elaborate  and  excellent  paper  pre- 
pared by  Mr.  Richard  Rathbun  and  published  in  the  nineteenth  volume  of  the  Society's 
Proceedings. 

Professor  Hartt  was  born  in  Fredericton,  New  Brunswick,  August  23d,  1840. 
He  graduated  from  Acadia  College  in  18(30.  At  an  early  age  he  manifested  much 
interest  in  the  study  of  natural  history,  and  whilst  in  college  labored  zealously  in 
exploring  geologically  the  Province  of  Nova  Scotia,  in  doing  which  he  made  large  collec- 
tions. Subsequently  he  gave  much  attention  to  the  study  of  the  rocks  in  the  vicinity  of 
St.  John,  New  Brunswick,  and  it  was  by  his  researches  there  that  he  first  became  exten- 
sively known  to  the  scientific  world.  The  discovery  there  of  fossil  insects  in  the  Devon- 
ian shales,  led  to  Professor  Agassiz'  knowledge  of  hun,  and  to  his  being  invited  to  become 
a  student  in  the  Museum  of  Comparative  Zoology,  where  he  passed  much  time  during 
the  succeeding  four  years,  making  great  progress  in  science  and  preparing  himself  for 
future  usefulness.  During  this  period  he  made  excursions  to  his  native  province  and 
to  Nova  Scotia,  making  investigations  of  im^jortant  character.  To  him,  the  scien- 
tific world  is  indeljted  for  very  much  of  the  knowledge  possessed  by  it  of  the  ancient 
strata  of  New  Brunswick.  Mr.  Hartt  was  appointed  by  Professor  Agassiz  one  of  the  two 
geologists  who  accompanied  the  Thayer  expeiUtion  to  Brazil  in  1865,  and  it  was  whilst  en- 
gaged in  this  service,  that  he  became  so  much  interested  in  the  geology  of  that  empire  as 
to  lead  to  his  extensive  work  there  in  after  years.     He  made  a  second  trip  there  in  1867. 


BOSTON  SOCIETY   OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  193 

In  1868  he  was  appointed  Professor  of  Natural  History  in  Vassar  College,  which  position 
he  soon  resigned  to  take  the  head  of  the  department  of  Geology  in  Cornell  University, 
which  he  held   until  the  time  of  his  death. 

Whilst  at  Cornell,  when  not  engaged  in  the  duties  of  his  position,  he  prepared  his  report 
as  geologist  of  the  Thayer  expedition.  This  embraced  so  much  of  value  upon  the  subject 
treated,  as  to  lead  to  its  being  published  in  a  volume  by  itself  under  the  title  of  ''  The  Ge- 
ology and  the  Physical  Geography  of  Brazil."  It  formed  a  large  octavo  volume  of  over 
six  hundred  pages. 

In  1870,  Prof.  Hartt  organized  another  expedition  to  Brazil,  taking  with  him  Prof. 
Prentice  and  eleven  of  the  students  of  Cornell  University.  This  party,  after  exploring  in 
the  vicinity  of  Para,  proceeded  to  the  Amazonas  where  were  found  the  first  Devonian  fos- 
sils east  of  the  Andes  in  South  America.  Prof  Hartt  soon  after  made  another  trip  to  the 
Amazonas  in  company  with  Mr.  O.  A.  Derby,  with  unportaut  results.  He  returned  to 
Ithaca  in  1872,  where  he  remained  from  two  to  three  years,  giving  such  time  as  he  could 
spare  to  studyino;  up  the  material  obtained  in  his  Amazonian  trips,  aided  by  two  assistants, 
Mr.  0.  A.  Derby  and  Mr.  Richard  Rathbun,  and  in  preparing  papers  for  publication. 
These  appeared  in  various  scientific  journals. 

In  1875,  the  government  of  Brazil,  appreciating'  the  labors  of  Prof.  Hartt,  invited  him 
to  sul^mit  a  proposition  for  the  systematic  geological  exploration  of  the  Empire.  He 
accordingly  proceeded  to  Rio  Janeiro,  where  he  was  received  with  great  enthusiasm. 
The  suggestions  made  in  his  proposition  were  not  fully  complied  with  from  economical 
considerations,  which  is  much  to  be  regretted,  considering  his  early  death.  In  May,  1875, 
Prof.  Hartt  was  made  chief  of  a  commission  for  the  geological  survey  of  Brazil  with 
six  assistants,  among  whom  was  Mr.  Rathbun,  also  a  member  of  the  Boston  Society  of 
Natural  History.  The  party  was  soon  in  the  field,  and  its  active  work  continued  almost 
uninterruptedly  until  the  close  of  1877.  The  amount  of  work  done  during  this  period 
was  immense,  and  the  investigations  made  of  the  most  important  character.  No  wonder 
that  the  Emperor  upon  his  return  from  a  visit  to  the  Museums  of  North  America  and  the 
old  world,  should  have  expressed  his  astonishment  when  he  found  that  the  small  party 
which  he  had  left  eighteen  months  before  working  hard  among  the  rocks  of  a  portion  of 
the  Empir-e,  had  created  a  large  Museum  containing  the  collections  made,  and  having  con- 
nected with  it  biological,  chemical  and  photographic  laboratories. 

This  brief  notice  of  Professor  Hartt  will  be  closed  by  a  few  words  given  in  abstract  from 
the  paper  alluded  to,  prepared  by  Mr.  Rathbun. 

"  In  order  to  judge  of  the  real  character  and  value  of  his  investigations,  we  must  refer 
to  his  publications.  These,  however,  give  us  but  a  glimpse  of  the  vast  store  of  knowledge 
he  had  accumulated.  He  has  left  a  number  of  volumes  in  manuscript,  which  when  pub- 
lished, will  add  greatly  to  his  scientific  standing,  by  making  known  to  the  world  the  vari- 
ety and  excellence  of  the  work  he  had  accomplished.  Judging  from  his  brilliant  begin- 
ning, we  are  confident  in  asserting  that  had  he  lived,  he  would  have  won  for  hmiself  a 
place  by  the  side  of-  such  investigators  as  De  le  Beche,  Murchison,  Logan  and  others,  like 
whom,  he  was  a  pioneer  in  the  special  field  of  research  he  had  entered." 


194  HISTORICAL   SKETCH   OF  THE 

The  reports  of  the  Custodian,  Secretary  and  Treasurer  were  looked  forward  to  with 
much  interest,  the  members  generally  realizing  the  difficulty  of  accomplishing  the  neces- 
sary work  of  the  Society  within  the  means  at  its  disposal,  without  incurring  debt  or  lessen- 
ing its  funded  property.  When  listened  to  at  the  annual  meeting,  they  gave  great  satis- 
faction, showing  as  they  did  much  progress  in  several  depax'tments  of  the  Museum,  con- 
tinued growth  of  the  Library,  a  fair  amount  of  publication,  and  good  attendance  at  the 
meetings.  It  will  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  period  was  one  of  prolonged  business  depres- 
sion, rendering  the  income  from  the  Society's  funds  quite  uncertain,  and  that  the  Council 
at  the  beginning  of  the  year  had  decided  to  limit  the  expenditures  to  the  least  possible 
sum  consistent  with  the  Society's  future  welfare.  The  Custodian  commenced  his  report 
by  deploring  that  this  decision,  though  necessary,  had  prevented  continued  improvement 
in  the  cases,  and  thus  arrested  work,  the  accomplishment  of  which  alone  could  render  the 
collections  secure  from  damage  by  dust  and  insects. 

From  the  remarks  of  the  Custodian  upon  the  state  of  the  collections,  the  following  is 
presented. 

The  Minerals  remained  in  the  good  condition  of  the  previous  years  and  had  received  val- 
uable accessions  from  the  President. 

The  Palaeontological  collections  had  had  much  labor  bestowed  upon  them  by  Mr. 
Crosby,  the  assistant  in  the  Museum,  and  by  Miss  Washburn  and  Miss  Carter,  who  had 
aided  him  in  mounting  and  labelling  the  specimens.  The  whole  department  was  stated  to 
be  divided  into  sections  according  to  locality,  and  collections  of  it  arranged  entirely  to 
illustrate  the  stratigraphical  relations  of  fossils.  There  were  of  the  North  American  col- 
lection on  exhibition,  1040  genera  embracing  2034  species,  and  7834  specimens.  These 
had  been  derived  from  the  following  sources :  Mass.  Institute  of  Technology,  2223  ; 
C.  S.  Hale  collection,  1013;  Cleveland  collection,  627;  various,  3971;  making  a  total  of 
7834. 

The  most  valuable  parts  of  this  collection  are  specimens  of  Paradoxides  from  Braintree, 
embracing  the  original  from  the  Jackson  Cabinet ;  a  fine  suite  of  Crinoids  from  Mr.  J.  M. 
Barnard  ;  the  coal  plants  of  the  Eogers  Cabinet;  the  fine  animal  impressions  on  stone 
from  Turner's  Falls;  the  reptilian  bones  from  the  red  sandstone  of  the  Connecticut 
valley,  presented  by  Prof  W.  B.  Eogers,  and  the  fossils  from  Attlcboro,  Mass. 

Of  the  Eser  collection  of  European  species,  there  were  on  exhibition  130G  genera,  em- 
bracing 25G3  species,  and  8809  specimens. 

The  Botanical  department  under  the  charge  of  Mr.  John  Cummings  had  been  steadily 
progressing.  Three-fifths  of  the  flowering  plants  had  been  revised,  and  work  had  only 
been  suspended  awaiting  the  reception  of  a  further  number  of  the  "  Genera  Plantarum." 
Miss  Carter  had  been  engaged  much  of  the  time  in  assorting,  condensing  and  properly 
arranging  duplicates.  She  had  also  sorted,  mounted  and  labelled  a  large  and  valuable  col- 
lection of  lichens  vmder  the  direction  of  Mr.  C.  J.  Sprague,  who  reported  that  "  this 
formed  the  Lichen-herbarium  of  Dr.  Thomas  Taylor,  an  Irish  botanist,  to  whom  Sir  W.  J. 
and  Sir  Joseph  Hooker  comnuuiicated  the  whole  of  their  extensive  collections  of  lichens 
gathered  during  many  exploring  expeditions.  Dr.  Taylor  published  descriptions  of  these 
plants  in  the  London  Journal  of  Botany,  1844-4G,  and  many  of  the  specimens  are  the 
originals   of    the    descriptions.      Mr.  John  Amoi'y  Lowell   purchased   the    collection    of 


BOSTON   SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL   KISTORY.  195 

Dr.  Taylor's  heirs,  and  afterwards  presented  it  to  the  Society,  with  the  rest  of  his  herba- 
rium. 

The  knowledge  of  the  structure  of  lichens  has  advanced  much  since  Dr.  Taylor's  day, 
and  the  nomenclature  has  undergone  extensive  changes,  so  this  herbarium,  though  contain- 
ing over  a  thousand  species,  might  have  remained  comparatively  useless  to  the  American 
student  had  it  not  been  for  the  voluntary  services  of  Prof.  Edward  T.  Tuckerman. 
He  examined  and  named  very  nearly  the  entue  series,  a  work  which  no  one  else  in  this 
country  could  have  done,  and  has  given  it  an  authentic  value,  otherwise  unattainable. 

The  decease  of  Dr.  P.  P.  Carpenter  of  Montreal,  to  whom  had  been  intrusted  the  work 
of  naming  the  collections  of  shells,  had  prevented  its  final  completion.  Fortunately  for 
the  Society,  not  much  remained  undone.  At  the  time  of  Dr.  Carpenter's  death,  he  had  in 
his  possession  at  Montreal  a  very  large  portion  of  the  collection  belonging  to  the  Museum. 
The  specimens  were  subsequently  received  in  admirable  condition,  not  one  having  been 
lost,  and  all  had  been  unpacked  and  arranged  in  the  cabinet  by  Mr.  Van  Vleck.  Miss 
Washburn  had  been  engaged  in  re-mounting,  labelling  and  cataloguing  them. 

The  Systematic  collection  of  MoUusca,  consisting  of  6.30  genera,  represented  by  2600 
species  and  9000  specimens,  had  been  completed  by  Mr.  Van  Vleck,  and  placed  on  exhibi- 
tion. 

The  alcoholic  collections  of  Reptiles  and  Batrachians  had  been  in  large  part  revised  and 
named  by  Mr.  Garman  of  the  Museum  of  Comparative  Zoology.  Considerable  additions 
had  been  made  to  them  by  the  kindness  of  Mr.  Garman,  who  selected  from  the  duplicates 
of  the  Museum  by  permission  of  Mr.  Agassiz,  the  director,  such  specimens  as  were  needed 
for  the  collection  of  the  Society. 

The  New  England  collection  of  birds  had  been  much  increased  by  donations  from 
various  parties,  and  by  exchange.     Eighty  sjiecies  had  been  added,  some  of  which  were 
of  great  rarity.     The  donors  were  Messrs.  Weeks,  E.  A.  &  0.  Bangs,  C.  B.  Corey,  F.  B 
Loring,  W.  B.  Greene,  H.  D.  Morse,  Wm.  Brewster,  Arthur  Smith,   Geo.   A.   Boardman, 
and  H.  0.  Ryder. 

The  Entomological  collection  had  been  enriched  by  valuable  donations  received  from 
Messrs.  Smith,  Bryant,  Thaxter  and  Mrs.  Moring.  Mr.  Henshaw's  labors  in  this  depart- 
ment had  been  continued. 

To  the  Anatomical  collection  a  number  of  preparations  had  been  added  by  the  assis- 
tant,  Mr.  Van  Vleck,  and   by   Dr.  Thomas,   a  student    in    the  Museum. 

To  the  collection  of  Echinoderms  had  been  added  a  suite  of  Ophiurans  received  from 
the  Museum  of  Comparative  Zoology.  These  having  been  identified  and  named  by 
Mr.  Theodore  Lyman,  the  labelling  may  be  relied  upon  as  correct. 

Of  the  Laboratory,  the  remarks  of  the  Custodian  are  presented  in  full,  as  they  give 
briefly  a  good  idea  of  the  practical  means  taken  to  advance  the  knowledge  of  natural  hist- 
ory in  the  community.  '* 

"The  work  in  this  department  has  greatly  increased.  The  educational  collections,  if 
they  continue  to  be  improved  at  the  same  rate,  will,  within  a  year  or  two,  be  entirely 
completed,  with  of  course,  the  exception  of  those  rarer  preparations  and  specimens  which 
never  seem  to  be  within  the  reach  of  moderate  means.     They  embrace  typical  zoological, 


196  HISTORICAL   SKETCH   OF   THE 

palaeontological  and  geological  collections,  already  sufficiently  perfect  for  the  ordinary 
purposes  of  general  instruction. 

"  The  room  and  the  collections  have  been  used  by  the  Institute  of  Technology  for  a  class 
in  Palaeontology ;  by  the  Boston  University  for  a  class  in  Zoology  and  another  in  Botany  ; 
and  by  the  Teachers  of  Boston,  for  a  class  in  Zoology.  This  last  was  composed  of  the 
teachers  of  natural  history  in  the  High  Schools  of  Boston,  and  other  teachers,  numbering 
about  thirty  in  all. 

"  The  lessons  are  necessarily  given  on  Saturday,  and  are  limited  to  two  hours,  though 
the  laboratory  is  open  throughout  the  day  for  those  who  wish  to  remain. 

"  This  course  was  instituted  in  order  to  support  the  movement  made  by  the  School  Com- 
mittee to  introduce  the  teaching  of  Zoology  into  the  High  Schools.  Miss  Crocker,  the 
supervisor  having  this  branch  under  her  charge,  applied  to  the  Custodian  for  assistance, 
and  the  Council  of  the  Society  assenting,  the  laboratory  and  its  facilities  were  placed  at 
her  disposal.  The  course  will  not  be  finished  until  the  spring  of  1879,  and  will  comprise 
nearly  one  hundred  lessons,  illustrated  in  the  usual  way  by  the  study  and  dissection  of 
specimens.  The  instruction  so  far,  has  consisted  of  a  series  of  practical  lessons,  given  by 
Messrs.  Crosby  and  Van  Vleck,  interspersed  with  lectures  of  a  more  general  character,  by 
the  Custodian." 

The  Teachers'  School  of  Science  was  continued,  as  in  previous  years,  through  the  liber- 
ality of  Mr.  John  Cummings.  One  course  of  twenty  lectures  was  given  by  Professor 
Goodale  of  Harvard  University.  The  teachers  were  provided  with  printed  synopses  of  the 
lectures  as  aids  in  taking  notes,  and  with  dried  and  named  specimens  of  native  plants. 
About  one  hundred  and  fifty  sets  of  these  were  distributed  during  the  course.  The  aver- 
age-attendance was  about  one  hundred  and  twenty. 

From  the  report  of  the  Secretary,  Mr.  Edward  Burgess,  it  was  shown  that  the  condition 
of  the  departments  under  his  charge  was  satisfactory. 

Of  the  Library,  he  stated  that  the  increase  was  very  constant.  The  additions  during 
the  year  had  been  in  slight  excess  of  the  previous  year,  and  were  as  follows :  volumes  255, 
parts  of  volumes  9G6,  pamphlets  236,  maj)s  and  charts  1999.  From  lack  of  the  necessary 
means,  no  binding  had  been  done. 

Of  the  Publications,  two  parts  of  the  Proceedings  of  the  Society  had  been  issued  and  a 
third  was  nearly  ready.     The  second  volume  of  the  Memoirs  had  also  been  concluded. 

Of  the  meetings,  there  had  been  sixteen  general  ones  of  the  Society,  at  which  the  aver- 
age attendance  had  been  forty  persons  ;  nine  of  the  section  of  Entomology  and  eleven  of 
the  section  of  Botany,  at  each  of  which  the  average  attendance  had  been  about  ten. 
Nearly  forty  papers  read  at  these  several  meetings  had  been  puldished. 

From  lack  of  means,  the  Society  was  not  enabled  to  give  any  public  lectures  during  the 
winter. 

Of  members,  four  Honorary,  seven  Corresponding,  and  twenty-two  Associate,  had  been 
elected  during  the  year. 

The  Report  of  the  Treasurer  showed  an  excess  of  receijDts  over  expenditures  of 
$1336.73,  a  considei'able  portion  of  which  could  only  be  used  for  specific  purposes. 
The  receipts  available  for  general  purposes  had  been  $9098.75,  and  the  expenditures  for 
general  purposes,  $8903.82 ;   leaving  a  balance  of  $194.93,  showing    that    the  Society 


BOSTON  SOCIETY   OF  NATURAL   HISTORY.  197 

through  great,  economy  had  succeeded  m   accomplishing  its  purpose  of  limiting  expen- 
hture  within  its  income. 

At  the  election  of  officers  for  the  ensuing  j^ear,  Theodore  Lyman  was  chosen  on  the 
Committee  for  Fishes  and  Reptiles  in  ])\ace  of  Dr.  Samuel  Kneeland,  resigned,  and  Jules 
Vlarcou  was  left  off  the  Committee  on  Palaeontology,  by  reason  of  prolonged  absence 
tbroad. 

Previous  to  the  adjournment  of  the  annual  meeting,  Mr.  Charles  J.  Sprague,  in  view  of 
;he  great  aid  given  him  by  Prof  Tuckerman,  in  enabling  him  to  put  on  exhibition  a  very 
;onsiderable  portion  of  the  Cryptogamous  plants  of  the  Society,  offered  the  following  res- 
olution, which  was  passed  unanimously: 

"  That  the  thanks  of  the  Society  be  conveyed  to  Pi'of.  Edward  Tuckerman,  for  the 
v'oluntary,  generous  and  invaluable  service  he  has  rendered  it  by  elaborating  and  naming 
the  Lichen  herbarium  of  Dr.  Thomas  Taylor,  now  forming  a  part  of  its  collection ;  a 
5ervice  which  no  one  in  this  country  but  he  could  have  performed,  and  w'hich  gives  to  the 
herbarium  an  authentic  value  it  could  not  otherwise  have  possessed." 

At  the  Council  meeting  subsequent  to  that  of  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Society,  the 
Trustees  reported  that  they  had  made  an  estimate  of  the  probable  income  of  the  Society 
;br  the  year  entered  upon,  showing  that  not  much  over  |9000  could  be  relied  upon  as 
ivailable  for  general  purposes.  Considering,  however,  that  there  w^ould  be  a  call  for  the 
sayment  of  insurance  on  projserty  for  five  years,  amounting  perhaps  to  one  thousand 
lollars,  they  advised  that  appropriations  be  made  to  the  extent  of  $9500  in  order  to  cover 
.his  item. 

The  Society  being  at  considerable  expense  of  time  and  money  in  carrying  out  the  inten- 
tion of  the  legislature  of  the  State  in  giving  it  authority  to  designate  persons  who  should 
have  the  right  to  kill  birds  for  scientific  purjjoses,  voted  to  charge  for  the  certificates  so 
issued,  the  sum  of  two  dollars  each. 

Walker  Prizes.  The  subject  proposed  for  the  Walker  prizes  was  the  same  practically 
as  that  of  1876,  two  years  before,  and  upon  wdiich  no  essay  had  been  presented,  viz : 
"  An  original  investigation  of  the  structure,  development  and  mode  of  life  of  one  or  more 
of  the  fungi  which  injuriously  affect  useful  plants." 

This  second  attempt  to  interest  writers  in  treating  upon  this  subject  was  not  successful 
in  eliciting  essays,  as  none  were  presented. 

In  August  of  this  year,  the  Society  lost  a  young  member  by  death,  to  whom  it  seems 
fitting  to  pay  a  tribute  of  affectionate  remembrance  by  a  brief  mention  of  his  life,  and  of 
the  interest  manifested  by  him  in  natural  history. 

Gurdon  Saltonstall,  the  son  of  Henry  and  Georgiana  C.  Saltonstall,  was  born  in  Salem, 
on  the  15th  day  of  August,  1856,  soon  after  which  the  fiimily  made  Boston  their  winter 
residence.  Being  obliged,  hy  trouble  in  his  eyes,  to  leave  school,  and  having  at  a  very 
early  age  exhibited  a  strong  inclination  to  acquaint  himself  with  objects  of  natural  history, 
he  was  led,  in  January  1871,  when  but  fifteen  years  of  age,  to  become  a  member  of  the  So- 
ciety, in  the  work  of  which  he  was  exceedingly  interested,  proffering  his  services  in  aid  of 
the  Custodian  and  the  working  members,  and  identifying  himself  with  their  labors  in 
almost  every  department.  In  turn,  he  was  aided  by  them  in  the  acquisition  of  the  knowl- 
edge he  sought,  and  thus  the  association  was  of  advantage  to  both  himself  and  the  Society. 


198  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 

The  summer  of  1872  he  passed  at  Eastport  with  the  United  States  Fish  Commission, 
studying  and  preparing  specimens  for  the  Societ}^,  and  in  a  subsequent  year  he  worked 
with  this  Commission  at  Noank,  with  Professor  Hyatt. 

In  1873  he  was  able  to  return  to  school,  where  he  rapidly  and  thoroughly  mastered  the 
necessary  studies  and  entered  Harvard  College  with  honor  in  the  Freshman  class  of  1874, 
in  which  he  passed  one  year  with  great  credit,  taking  high  rank  as  a  scholar  and  gaining 
the  respect  and  affection  of  his  associates  and  instructors.  But  early  in  his  second  year  his 
health  suddenly  gave  way  and  he  was  obliged  to  leave  home.  Passing  part  of  one  winter 
at  Nassau,  he  sent  valuable  specimens  and  information  to  the  Society,  his  association  with 
which  was  always  one  of  his  greatest  pleasures.  In  this  association  he  exhiljited  such 
kindly  and  lovaljle  traits  of  character  as  served  to  endear  hun  to  all  the  working  members, 
and  they  sadly  deplored  the  necessity  of  his  leaving  home  for  his  health,  and  still  more 
sadly  learned  of  his  early  decease. 

He  died  at  Pan  in  France  on  the  21st  of  Ma}^,  1878,  beloved  by  all  who  knew  him,  and 
happy  in  the  assurance  of  immortal  life. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Society  held  Oct.  2d,  Mr.  Scudder,  being  in  the  Chair,  alluded  feel- 
ingly to  the  death  of  Prof.  Henry,  a  distinguished  Honorary  Member,  which  had  recently 
occurred,  and  at  the  close  of  his  remarks  introduced  Dr.  Asa  Gray,  who  addi'essed  the 
Society  upon  the  life  and  character  of  "  that  eminent  man  whose  death,  full  of  years  and 
honors,  had  been  so  sensibly  felt  throughout  the  country  and  the  scientific  world." 

Leaving  to  others  the  duty  of  portraying  his  great  scientific  services  and  researches, 
Dr.  Gray  gave  a  brief  sketch  of  Prof  Henry's  life,  mentioning  his  birth  at  Albany,  N.  Y., 
near  the  close  of  the  last  century,  his  restricted  opportunities  for  early  educatioii,  his 
becoming  a  pupil  at  the  Albany  Academy,  and  afterwards  receiving  an  appointment  as 
Professor  of  Natural  Philosophy  at  that  institution.  He  then  spoke  of  his  brilliant  dis- 
coveries in  electricity  and  magnetism,  which  made  his  name  prominent  throughout  the 
scientific  world,  and  his  acceptance  in  1846,  of  the  office  of  Secretary  of  the  Smithsonian 
Institution.  Referring  to  this,  Dr.  Gray  remarked,  that  to  the  simple  sense  of  duty  which 
impelled  Prof.  Henry  to  interrupt  a  career  of  research  of  almost  unequalled  brilliancy,  by 
an  undertaking  which  was  sure  to  absorb  his  best  years  in  administrative  and  perplexing 
cares,  was  to  be  attributed  the  result  that  the  noble  bequest  of  Smithson  "  for  the 
increase  and  dillusion  of  knowledge  among  men"  was  rescued  from  waste  and  misapj^ro- 
priation.  Dr.  Gray  insisted  that  the  great  benefits  which  the  scientific  world  at  large,  and 
science  in  America  especially,  are  receiving  from  the  Institution,  were  mainly  owing  to 
the  practical  wisdom,  the  catholic  spirit,  and  the  just  conception  of  the  founder's  intent, 
and  the  indomitable  perseverance  of  its  first  Secretary  and  Manager.  In  concluding  his 
remarks,  of  which  this  notice  gives  but  a  brief  abstract.  Dr.  Gray  spoke  of  "  the  serene 
simplicity  and  loftiness,  as  well  as  kindliness  of  spirit,  shown  by  Prof  Henry,  of  his  devo- 
tion to  what  he  deemed  his  duty,  often  exhibited  in  the  extreme  patience  with  which  he 
attended  to  the  applications  of  projectors  and  crotchety  discoverers  who  sought  his 
advice."  Much  of  the  prominent  influence  which  he  wielded  at  Washington,  was  attrib- 
uted "to  his  transparent  and  spotless  character,  the  complete  subjection  of  all  consider- 
ations of  personal  advantage,  or  even  of  personal  ambition,  and  the  atmosphere  of  purity 
in  which  his  official  as  well  as  ju'ivate  life  ever  moved,  and  upon  which  never  fell  even  the 
shadow  of  a  shade." 


BOSTON  SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  199 

The  fall  and  winter  of  this  official  year  were  characterized  by  a  degree  of  work  done  in 
direct  instruction  by  the  Custodian,  and  other  officers  of  the  Society  and  assistants,  so  un- 
exampled in  character  as  to  call  for  special  and  full  notice. 

The  study  of  natural  history  had  been  recently  introduced  into  the  public  schools,  and 
it  was  thought  by  those  who  had  been  instrumental  in  effecting  this,  jDarticularly  by  Miss 
Lucretia  Crocker,  the  supervisor  of  that  department,  that  the  teachers  generally  of  the 
schools  should  have  such  instrviction  in  the  several  branches,  as  could  be  well  given  under 
the  auspices  of  the  Society.  An  appeal  to  its  officers  was  therefore  made  by  Miss  Crocker 
for  assistance,  and  as  this  was  urged  as  essential  to  success,  the  call  was  cheerfully  re- 
sponded to.  The  opportunity  of  interesting  the  children  of  the  pviblic  schools  in  natural 
history  through  lessons  given  to  the  great  body  of  their  teachers,  seemed  too  much  in  the 
line  of  the  Society  work  to  be  lost,  and  strenuous  efforts  were  at  once  made  to  do  all  that 
was  possible  in  furtherance  of  the  object. 

The  Council  appointed  the  President,  Mr.  Bouve,  Vice  President,  Mr.  Cummings,  and  the 
Custodian,  Mr.  Hyatt,  to  take  charge  of  the  matter,  giving  them  full  authority  to  arrange 
for  the  lectures,  obtain  specimens  for  illustration  and  distribution,  and  to  approve  bills  for 
such  expenses  as  might  necessarily  be  incurred,  it  being  understood  that,  excepting  the 
time  and  labor  devoted  to  the  object,  the  cost  should  be  defrayed  by  subscription. 

The  wonderful  success  that  attended  the  movement  will  be  presented  in  the  annual 
report  of  the  Custodian  at  the  yearly  meeting  in  May. 

Dr.  J.  B.  S.  Jacksok. 

1879,  January  15th.     After  calling  the  meeting  of  this  date  to  order  the  President  said: 

Since  we  last  met,  Death  has  once  again  entered  our  circle  and  borne  from  us  one  of  the 
oldest  and  most  highly  respected  of  the  active  members  of  the  Society,  Dr.  J.  B.  S.  Jack- 
son. 

To  those  of  you  who  have  not  been  members  for  more  than  the  last  decade  or  two, 
there  can  be  but  little  appreciation  of  the  feeling  experienced  by  those  of  us  who 
were  contemporary,  or  nearly  so,  with  the  founders  and  early  members  of  the  Society, 
when  one  of  their  number  passes  the  limit  that  divides  the  seen  from  the  unseen.  Among 
these  were  men  of  noble  characters  and  impulses,  with  whom  to  be  associated  was  to  be 
impressed  with  such  sense  of  their  great  excellence  and  purity  of  purpose  as  no  subsequent 
experience  through  life  could  obliterate.  Claiming  but  little  knowledge  of  natural  his- 
tory, but  strongly  appreciating  the  importance  of  its  study  both  for  themselves  and  the 
community,  they  came  together  for  mutual  help  in  the  acquisition  of  knowledge,  and  to 
combine  their  efforts  for  its  dissemination,  modestly  expressing  in  the  preface  to  the  first 
number  of  the  Journal  "  that  having  but  small  claims  to  the  character  of  naturalists,  they 
nevertheless  are  desirous  of  contributing  something  to  the  common  stock  of  information." 

In  the  greater  light  of  the  present  day,  and  reflecting  upon  the  little  aid  attainable  by 
them  through  books  or  collections,  we  may  well  exclaim,  Noble  men  !  Simple  seekers  of 
truth,  not  only  for  your  own  good  but  for  that  of  all  others  ;  you  grandly  did  your  work  ! 
And  so  they  did.  The  many  volumes  of  their  papers  and  proceedings  attest  this  :  the 
State  reports  upon  the  geology;  the  iuvetebrate  animals;  the  fishes;  the  insects  injuri- 
ous to  vegetation  ;  the  trees  and  shrubs  of  Massachusetts  ;  all  by  early  members  resident 


200  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 

or  corresponding,  speak  unceasingly  of  the  value  of  their  labors.  And  the  magnificent 
development  of  the  Society  until  it  has  become  what  it  now  is,  with  its  great  collections 
and  its  wide  felt  influence,  —  how  much  of  this  is  due  to  their  early  strivings  who  shall 
say  ?     Certainly  all  is  but  the  fruition  of  their  hopes  and  desires. 

Among  these  early  members  were  Dr.  Benjamin  D.  Greene,  an  accomplished  botanist  and 
the  first  President  of  the  Society ;  Dr.  Augustus  A.  Gould,  the  author  of  the  Report  upon 
the  Invertebrates  of  the  State,  and  who  became  one  of  the  most  able  naturalists  of  New 
England ;  Dr.  D.  Humphreys  Storer,  the  author  of  the  very  valuable  Report  upon  the 
Fishes  of  New  England ;  Dr.  Amos  Binney,  an  accomplished  conchologist,  afterwards 
President ;  George  B.  Emerson.,  author  of  the  great  work  upon  the  Trees  and  Shrubs  of 
the  State,  and  who  also  subsequently  became  President  of  the  Society ;  Dr.  Martin  Gay,  an 
able  chemist ;  Dr.  Charles  T.  Jackson,  well-known  as  an  accomplished  chemist,  mineralo- 
gist and  geologist ;  Francis  Alger,  the  author  of  a  valuable  work  on  mineralogy  ;  the  Rev. 
Dr.  F.  W.  P.  Greenwood,  who  seemed  more  divine  than  human  in  the  loveliness  of  his  char- 
acter ;  Dr.  T.  W.  Harris,  author  of  the  Report  on  Insects  injurious  to  Vegetation,  and  last 
0  mention,  though  by  no  means  the  least  in  his  influence  upon  the  afiairs  of  the  Society 
and  its  character,  Dr.  J.  B.  S.  Jackson,  whose  loss  we  now  deplore. 

The  particular  investigations  of  Dr.  Jackson  were  generally  not  of  a  nature  to  bring  him 
prominently  before  the  Society  as  an  instructor  in  any  branch  of  natural  history,  his 
labors  being  largely  confined  to  a  class  of  subjects  more  generally  interesting  to  students 
in  pathology.  Yet  the  Journal  of  the  Society  presents  to  us  several  papers  of  great  value 
to  naturalists,  and  the  Proceedings  contain  remarks  made  by  him  at  various  times  embody- 
ing much  useful  information. 

Dr.  Jackson  was  elected  a  member  in  the  fall  of  1831,  the  Society  having  been  incoi'po- 
ro.ted  the  previous  February. 

In  1837  he  read  before  the  Society  a  paper  which  was  published  in  the  Journal,  giving 
an  anatomical  description  of  the  Gallapagos  Tortoise,  which  was  a  valuable  contribution. 

In  1842  the  Journal  gives  an  account  read  by  him  of  the  dissection  of  two  adult  drome- 
dai'ies,  male  and  female. 

In  1845  there  is  in  the  Journal  a  paper  upon  the  dissection  of  a  spermaceti  whale  and 
three  other  Cetaceans. 

Of  his  remarks  made  from  time  to  time  upon  scientific  subjects  and  published  in  the 
Proceedings  of  the  Society,  may  be  found  some  of  interesting  character  upon  the  teeth  of 
Delphinus  glohicej^s,  upon  fossil  bones  of  the  Ilastodou  cjhjanteus  from  Schooley's  Moun- 
tain, N.  J.,  and  upon  bones  from  Indian  tumuli. 

As  said  before.  Dr.  Jackson's  most  important  work  was  in  pathology  rather  than  natural 
history.  He  became  Professor  of  Pathological  Anatomy  in  the  Medical  School  of  Harvard 
University  in  1847,  and  was  ever  after  a  most  diligent  laborer  in  its  interests,  investigat- 
mg  with  great  patience  and  with  keenness  of  observation  arising  from  constant  experi- 
ence, the  morbid  effects  of  disease  upon  the  organs,  and  wi'iting  out  fidly  and  carefully 
the  results  of  his  examinations,  wdiich  have  been  of  invaluable  service  in  the  cause  of 
medical  science.  Much  of  his  work  for  many  years  was  in  the  building  of  the  Cabinet  of 
the  Society  of  Medical  Improvement  and  its  arrangement  for  study,  and  in  the  care  and 
arrangement  of  the  Warren  Museum.     Of  these  two  fine  collections  Dr.  Jackson  published 


BOSTON"  SOCIETY   OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  201 

descriptive  catalogues,  containing  much  matter  of  great  interest  to  students  in  medicine 
and  surgery.  Others  can  write  and  speak  more  wisely  and  instructively  of  these  great 
services  than  can  the  Avriter,  who  has  only  been  associated  with  him  in  the  Society  of  Nat- 
ural History  and  as  a  personal  friend.  His  work  for  the  Society  has  been  spoken  of,  l)ut 
what  he  did  for  it  in  labor  and  through  publications  was  but  a  small  part  of  tlie  aid  he 
was  able  to  render.  No  member  ever  felt  more  interest  in  its  welfare,  and  if  this  was 
not  manifested  to  the  same  degree  in  actual  devotion  to  work  upon  its  collections  and  to 
investigations  in  natural  history  subjects,  it  was  only  because  his  valuable  time  was  preoc- 
cupied by  the  duties  owed  to  his  official  position.  He  was  always  in  the  habit  of  at- 
tending the  meetings  of  the  Society,  and  always  exhibited  a  strong  desire  that  they  should 
be  made  as  instructive  as  possible  to  younger  members,  to  such  particularly  as  were  enter- 
ing the  paths  of  science.  He  was  ever- urgent,  too,  that  all  the  specimens  of  the  collections 
of  the  Society  should  be  so  distinctively  and  fully  arranged  and  labelled  that  all  visitors 
might  clearly  undoi'stand  their  character  and  relations.  He  indeed  sometimes  felt  impatient 
that  this  was  not  already  accomplished,  so  important  did  he  regard  it  as  a  means  of  educa- 
tion ;  though  he  did  not  fail  to  recognize  that  with  the  means  at  the  Society's  disposal  this 
work  must  necessarilj^  be  slow.  He  lived  to  see  great  progress  towards  the  realization  of 
his  wishes  in  this  respect,  and  if  his  life  had  been  spared  a  year  or  two  longer  his  fullest 
desire  might  have  been  satisfied. 

One  marked  peculiarity  of  Dr.  Jackson  was  his  great  interest  in  the  advancement  of 
worthy  members  to  positions  of  honor  and  usefulness  in  the  Society.  Entirely  free  from 
any  ambitious  desire  for  office  himself,  he  wished  to  gratify  the  feelings  of  those  whom  he 
thought  deserving  and  to  whom  position  might  be  an  inducement  to  exertion.  It  is  pleas- 
ant to  dwell  upon  the  special  characteristics  that  made  our  departed  friend  a  useful  mem- 
ber of  the  Society,  but  with  what  additional  pleasure  can  we  recall  the  traits  that  made 
him  the  delightful  companion,  the  beloved  friend,  the  dear  husband  and  father ;  that  led 
all  with  whom  he  came  closely  in  contact  to  regard  him  with  affection  and  respect.  Sim- 
ple, unostentatious,  true  in  all  the  relations  of  life,  honest  in  the  expression  of  his  convic- 
tions, and  pure  in  heart,  he  lived  amongst  us  a  blessing  to  his  friends  and  the  community, 
and  has  passed  away  leaving  only  the  most  tender  memories.  May  we  be  helped  by  his 
example  to  live  and  do  our  life's  work  so  that  it  may  be  said  of  each  of  us  when  we  like- 
wise depart,  what  may  be  truly  said  of  him  :  Those  who  knew  him  the  best  loved  him  the 
most. 

At  the  close  of  the  President's  address,  Dr.  D.  H.  Storer  said : 

Mr.  President :  —  I  rise  merely  to  express  my  thanks  for  your  fiiithful  and  most  appro- 
priate remarks  respecting  our  departed  friend.  I  should  have  regretted  not  to  have  heard 
them.  I  rejoice  that  nothing  ever  occurred  to  alienate  him  from  the  Society  —  that  he 
continued  to  feel  the  same  interest,  and  to  evince  the  same  zeal  in  its  prosperity  as  long  as 
he  was  with  us. 

Jackson  and  Wyman  I  always  associated  together  —  in  my  heart  they  were  one  —  ever 
faithful  and  true. 

Again  I  thank  you,  Mr.  President,  for  your  heartfelt  tribute. 


202  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 

At  the  anniTal  meeting  the  reports  of  the  Custodian  and  Secretary  were  as  usual 
interesting  and  gratifying. 

The  Mineralogical  cabinet  was  stated  to  be  in  good  condition  and  order. 

The  Geological  collection  had  been  undergoing  re-arrangement,  this  being  necessary  by 
recent  advances  in  science,  esi^ecially  in  Lithology.  The  principal  accession  to  this 
department  consisted  of  a  suite  of  250  sj^ecimens  of  the  rocks  of  New  Hanipshii'e,  col- 
lected in  the  recent  geological  survey  of  that  State,  by  Prof.  C.  H.  Hitchcock. 

The  revision  of  the  Palaeontological  collections  had  been  finished.  To  the  North 
American  had  been  added  forty  specimens  of  Cambrian,  Silurian  and  Devonian  fossils,  col- 
lected by  Prof  F.  H.  Bradley  and  given  by  Mr.  John  Cummings ;  nearly  500  sub-carbon- 
iferous crinoids,  obtained  by  exchange  from  Prof.  A.  H.  Worthen,  State  geologist  of 
Illinois  ;  125  specimens  of  Cretaceous  fossils  from  Texas,  obtained  by  purchase ;  and  100 
specimens  of  Cretaceous  vertebrate  remains  from  Kansas,  purchased  from  the  State  geolo- 
gist, Prof.  B.  F.  Mudge. 

The  New  England  collection  had  received  twenty  specimens  of  fossiliferous  rock  from 
the  drift  of  Truro,  Cape  Cod,  probably  Eocene. 

The  North  American  collection,  with  the  accessions  reported,  consisted  of: 


Genera. 

Species, 

Specimens 

Cambrian      .... 

112 

214 

645 

Silurian        .... 

136 

241 

656 

Devonian      .... 

208 

376 

1127 

Subcarbonif  erous . 

99 

215 

650 

Carboniferous 

79 

288 

1089 

Triassic         .... 

35 

29 

51 

Jurassic         .... 

5 

5 

40 

Cretaceous    .... 

90 

177 

883 

Tertiary  and  Post-tertiary  . 

306 

548 

3086 

1070  2093  8227 

The  Triassic  fishes  and  plants,  and  most  of  the  foot-tracks,  a  good  collection  of  Devo- 
nian bivalves,  and  several  other  small  lots  of  fossils  wanting  identification,  were  not 
included. 

The  South  American  collection,  including  the  West  Indian,  was  mentioned  as  insignif- 
icantly small,  numbering  but  twenty-lour  genera,  twenty-eight  species,  and  one  hundfed 
and  seventy  specimens,  all  Tertiary,  or  Post-tertiary,  excepting  one  Cretaceous.  The  Afri- 
can was  said  to  be  still  more  lacking,  comprising  only  five  genera,  six  species,  and  fourteen 
S25ecimens,  all  Tertiary. 

The  Asiatic  collection,  including  specmiens  from  the  Malay  Archipelago,  Australia 
and  Oceanica,  had  been  mounted  during  the  3'ear.  This  was  stated  to  contain  many  large 
specimens,  chiefly  casts  of  the  Miocene  Mammalia  from  the  Sivalik  Hills,  also  Cretaceous 
fishes  from  Mt.  Lebanon,  casts  of  Carbonilerous  shells  from  Australia,  and  casts  of  the 
bones  of  the  Dinornis  and  Palaeopteryx  from  New  Zealand.  The  whole  embraced  46  gen- 
era, 84  species,  and  170  specimens. 

The  principal  work  done  on  the  European  collection  during  the  year  had  been  to 
mount  the  Palaeozoic  fossils.     There  had   been  an  accession   to  these  of  380  specimens, 


BOSTON   SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL   HISTORY.  203 

received  frofa  Mr.  John  Cumtnings  in  exchange.     The  European  specimens  at  this  time 
numbered  13,655. 

Tlie  aggregate  of  the  several  collections  of  the  Department  was  as  shown  by  the  follow- 


ing  table  : 

Genera. 

Species. 

Specimens 

From  North  America 

1070 

2093 

8227 

"      South  America 

24 

28 

170 

"       Africa     . 

5 

6 

14 

"      Asia  and  Australia . 

46 

84 

170 

"      Europe    . 

1631 

3623 

13655 

2776  5834  22236 

The  Custodian  in  referring  to  the  fact  that  the  laborious  work  of  the  arrangement  and 
cataloguing  of  the  Palaeontological  collections  was  finished,  justly  ascribed,  not  only  the 
magnitude  of  these  to  the  great  liberality  of  Mr.  John  Cummings,  but  also  their  condition, 
which  was  attributable  entirely  to  the  valuable  services  of  the  two  assistants  employed  by 
hmi. 

In  the  Botanical  department,  the  work  of  sorting  the  duplicates  and  supplying  the 
deficiencies  in  the  general  collection  had  steadily  progressed  under  the  direction  of 
Mr.  Cummings.  The  specimens  of  wood,  fruit,  etc.,  on  exhibition  had  been  catalogued, 
mounted  on  tablets,  and  labelled  by  Miss  Carter.  They  numbered  2583  specimens,  repre- 
senting 304  genera,  and  492  species.  To  Mr.  Chas.  J.  Sprague  this  department  was  indebted 
for  250  specimens  of  dried  plants  from  Florida,  collected  by  Mr.  A.  H.  Curtiss,  and  for  50 
rare  New  England  species,  collected  by  Mr.  C.  J.  Pringle,  of  Vermont.  Mr.  E.  T.  Bouve 
had  continued  his  work  on  the  trees  and  shrubs  of  New  England,  and  added  a  number  of 
species    to    the  collection. 

In  the  Anatomical  department,  a  new  section  had  been  established.  In  this  sec- 
tion had  been  brought  together  preparations  made  by  Mr.  Van  Vleck,  exhibiting  the 
general  anatomy  of  the  invertebrates  and  the  typical  forms  of  the  different  sub-divisions 
of  the  animal  kingdom. 

The  New  England  collection  of  Birds  had  been  considerably  increased  through  the 
exertions  of  Dr.  Brewer,  thirty  to  forty  species  having  been  added. 

The  Entomological  department  had  received  several  important  donations,  one  from 
Mr.  F.  C.  Bowditch,  of  useful  insects  of  all  orders  ;  another  from  Dr.  C.  S.  Minot  of  his 
entire  collection  of  insects,  containing  very  desirable  additions  to  the  New  England  col- 
lection. A  part  also  of  a  collection  made  by  the  late  Mr.  Gurdon  Saltonstall  had  been 
received  from  his  family,  and  several  valuable  specimens  of  which  the  Society  stood  in 
need  from  Mr.  Roland  Thaxter. 

The  remarks  of  the  Custodian  upon  the  other  collections  do  not  call  for  repetition. 

In  the  Laboratory  there  had  been  much  activity.  The  room  and  the  collections  had 
been  used  for  the  past  year  by  a  class  in  Zoology  and  Palaeontology  from  the  Mass.  Insti- 
tute of  Technology ;  one  in  Zoology,  from  Boston  University ;  and  one  in  Zoology  com- 
posed of  the  teachers  of  the  Boston  High  Schools.  This  last  class  Avas  })articularly  men- 
tioned in  the  report  of  the  previous  year.  The  course  of  instruction  had  been  prolonged 
and  was  not  yet  quite  finished. 


204  HISTORICAL   SKETCH    OF   THE 

Reference  was  made  on  a  preceding  page  to  tlie  great  work  accomplished,  through  the 
instrumentality  of  the  Society,  in  direct  instruction  during  the  last  autumn  and  winter 
months.  The  importance  of  what  was  done  justifies  the  presentation  of  nearly  the  full 
statement  of  the  Custodian,  though  it  involves  some  repetition. 

"Teachers'  School  of  Science.  The  Teachers'  School  of  Science  has  this  year  attained 
extraordinary  size  and  importance.  So  sudden  and  unexpected  was  this  development 
that  for  the  last  six  months  it  has  almost  completely  arrested  all  efficient  work  in  other 
directions.  The  study  of  nature  having  been  introduced  in  a  definite  form  into  the  public 
schools,  and  the  supervisor  of  this  department,  Miss  Lucretia  Crocker,  having  assured  us 
that  our  assistance  would  be  of  great  benefit,  and  was  in  fact  essential,  it  was  determined 
to  institute  appropriate  courses  upon  elementary  Botany,  Zoology,  and  Mineralogy,  if  the 
means  of  paying  the  expenses  could  be  raised.  Mrs.  S.  T.  Hooper  and  Miss  Crocker  un- 
dertook and  successfully  completed  this  pai-t  of  the  work,  and  also  a  considerable  amount 
of  harassing  clerical  labor,  which  subsequently  arose  out  of  the  success  of  their  own  exer- 
•tions.  Fortunately  for  their  schemes  these  ladies  met  with  substantial  appreciation  from 
Mrs.  Augustus  Hemenway,  who  both  subscribed  most  liberally,  and  also  encouraged  them 
to  accept  the  very  considerable  pecuniary  responsibilities,  which  began  to  block  their  way 
at  the  very  beginning  of  operations.  In  fact,  without  these  assurances  of  further  su2:)port 
and  interest,  we  should  nut  have  dared  to  begin. 

"  These  obstacles  arose  from  two  causes,  the  number  of  applicants,  and  the  necessity  of 
providing  identical  specimens  for  all.  The  specimens  and  materials  for  two  hundred, 
which  was  the  maximum  number  anticipated  at  first,  could  have  been  readily  furnished, 
but  when  the  applicants  reached  six  hundred,  it  became  exceedingly  questionable  whetlier 
such  a  number  could  be  provided  for,  and  properly  instructed  by  one  person,  all  at  the 
same  time.  Feeling,  however,  that  the  cause  of  science  demanded  that  these  difficulties 
should  he  met  and  supported,  and  relying  on  the  hearty  cooperation  of  Professor  Goodale 
and  the  ladies  mentioned  above,  the  course  was  begun. 

"  The  association  and  sympathy  of  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Agassiz  with  the  undertaking  has  been 
particularly  gratifying,  since  Prof.  Louis  Agassiz  was  the  first  naturalist  who  ever  taught  a 
popidar  audience  in  this  country  with  the  specimens  in  hand. 

"  The  enterprise  was  in  large  part  the  work  of  Avomen  and  affords  pleasing  evidence  of 
the  activity  and  usefulness  of  this  new  class  of  members  in  our  Society. 

"  The  following  is  a  list  of  the  donors : 

Mrs.  Augustus  Hemenway 

Mis.  Quiney  A.  Sliaw      .... 

Mrs.  John  jNI.  Forbes       .... 

Miss  A.  S.  Hooi>er 

Mrs.  H.  P.  Kidder 

Miss  M.  A.  Wales 

"Smaller  sums  were  contributed  by  Mrs.  Elizabeth  C.  Agassiz,  Mrs.  Samuel  Hooper,  Miss 
S.  Minns,  Miss  E.  Mason,  Miss  M.  C.  Jackson,  Miss  Stone,  Miss  Abby  W.  May,  Mrs.  James 
Freeman  Clarke,  Miss  Cora  H.  Clarke,  Miss  Lucretia  Crocker,  Mrs.  Thomas  Mack,  Mrs.  A. 
S.  Farwell  and  others. 

"  Many  of  these  ladies  were  very  active  in  securing  the  success  of  the  course  and  the 
Society  thanks  them  and  others  ;  especially  Mrs.  E.  D.  Cheney,  Miss  J.  M.  Arms,  Miss  C.  J. 


11000.00 

Mrs.  Sarah  S.  Russell      . 

150.00 

500.00 

IMrs.  John  E.  Lodge 

50.00 

100.00 

Mrs.  Richard  C.  Greenleaf      . 

50.00 

100.00 

Miss  Anna  C.  Lowell 

50.00 

100.00 

Mrs.  E.  W.  Gurney 

50.00 

50.00 

BOSTON  SOCIETY   OF  NATURAL   HISTORY.  205 

Ireland  and  Mrs.  Samuel 'Wells  for  their  personal  efforts  in  behalf  of  the  Teachers'  School 
of  Science. 

"  The  teachers  themselves,  at  our  solicitation,  joined  in  making  up  the  fund.  The  contri- 
butions from  this  source  amounted  to  $789. 

"  Notwithstanding  this  generous  assistance,  it  would  hardly  have  been  possible  to  carry- 
on  the  several  courses  without  the  friendly  aid  and  direct  assistance  in  various  ways  of  the 
following  institutions  and  persons. 

"  The  Institute  of  Technology,  which  most  generously  gave  us  the  use  of  Huntington 
Hall,  upon  the  payment  of  a  merely  nominal  sum  for  cleaning  and  heating. 

"  The  Museum  of  Comparative  Zoology,  under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Alexander  Agassiz, 
which,  through  Count  Pourtales,  Dr.  Hermann  Hagen,  and  Mr.  E.  C.  Hamlin,  at  various 
times  assisted  us  by  donations  of  specimens  from  the  respective  departments  superintended 
by  these  gentlemen. 

"  Mr.  Henshaw,  my  right  hand  assistant  in  all  the  w^ork  of  preparation  and  distribution, 
whose  untiring  energy  contributed  largely  to  secure  the  success  of  every  lesson ;  Miss 
Hintz,  of  the  Normal  School,  who  drew  with  remarkable  skill  the  diagrams  used  in  the 
Zoological  course,  and  enabled  the  Custodian  to  illustrate  fully  all  subjects  ;  Mr.  Van 
Vleck  for  aid  in  the  preparation  of  models ;  Mr.  L.  S.  Burbank  ;  Miss  Nunn,  Professor  of 
Biology  at  Wellesley  College ;  Mr.  Robert  McCarthy,  of  New  York ;  Captain  Horstall,  of 
Steamer  Canopus ;  Mr.  Eugene  G.  Blackford,  of  New  York ;  and  the  proprietors  of  the 
Parker  House  and  Young's  Hotel,  for  donations  of  specimens  and  assistance  in  various 
ways. 

"  Mr.  E.  G.  Gardiner,  Mr.  E.  A.  W.  Hammatt  and  Mr.  G.  H.  Barton  of  the  Institute  of 
Technology,  have  also  kindly  assisted  at  the  lectures  in  various  capacities.  To  many  of  my 
own  students,  teachers  and  others  I  am  also  indebted  for  assistance. 

"  Since  the  lectures  were  begun  in  1871,  they  have  been  continued  without  interruption, 
except  during  the  winter  of  1872-73,  under  the  patronage  of  Mr.  John  Cummings  ;  and 
previous  to  this  winter  about  75,000  specimens  of  minerals,  plants,  and  animals  had  been 
studied  and  distributed  to  teachers  of  the  public  schools.  The  ajjplications  for  tickets  rose 
during  those  years  from  an  average  of  55  to  166. 

"  The  nvuuber  of  recorded  applications  for  the  course  now  approaching  completion  is 
616,  or  nearly  foiu"  times  as  many  as  in  previous  years,  and  the  numl)er  of  specimens 
which  will  have  been  distributed  during  this  winter  alone  cannot  fall  short  of  100,000. 

"  After  an  introductory  lecture  in  which  the  Superintendent  of  the  Public  Schools,  the 
President  of  the  Society,  and  the  Custodian  delivered  addresses  appropriate  to  the  occa- 
sion, Professor  Goodale  completed  a  course  of  six  lessons  on  Botany  in  which  he  instructed 
the  whole  audience  of  five  hundred  with  apparently  as  much  readiness  as  if  it  had  been 
but  fifty.  Mr.  Jackson  Dawson,  Mr.  Watson  and  Mr.  Greenleaf  were  of  great  assistance 
to  Professor  Goodale  in  the  procuring  of  the  vast  number  of  live  plants  and  the  great 
amount  of  other  material  required  for  his  lessons.  Mr.  Charles  W.  Spurr,  622  Harrison 
Avenue,  Boston,  prepared,  for  the  purpose  of  illustrating  the  subject  of  wood  sections,  500 
packages  of  excellent  specimens  of  the  following  woods :  tulip-tree  or  whitewood,  rose- 
wood, ash,  oak,  pine,  mahogany,  walnut,  butternut,  maple,  cedar,  birch,  cherr}^,  elm  and 
holly.     Many  of  these  were  in  duplicate,  exhibiting  Ijoth  plain  and  figured  texture.     The 


206  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 

specimens,  more  than  ten  thousand  in  all,  were  gratuitously  presented  to  the  class  by  Mr. 
Spurr. 

"  The  Custodian  followed  with  twelve  lessons  on  Zoology,  which  will  be  completed  on 
the  10th  of  this  month,  and  Mr.  Burbank  is  to  continue  with  five  on  Minei'alogy.  The 
average  attendance  on  fair  days,  so  far,  has  been  about  five  hundred. 

"  The  course  was  supplemented  by  the  publication  of  a  series  of  small  pamphlets,  under 
the  general  title  of  Science  Guides,  which  were  intended  to  assist  the  teachers  in  the  ap- 
plication of  the  knowledge  imparted  by  the  lectures.  These  are  described  in  the  Report 
of  the  Secretary. 

"  Perhaps  the  most  gratifying  and  encouraging  facts  are  derived  from  an  examination  of 
the  statistics  of  the  past  seven  years.     Thus  out  of  the   616   ajiplicants  of  this  winter, 
there  are  155  who  had  attended  at  least  one  previous  course,^  119  who  had  attended  two 
or  more  previous  courses,  and  44  who  had  attended  all  of  the  courses.     Some  of  these  last, 
I  may  add,  are  masters  of  public  schools." 

The  Secretary's  report  was  interesting,  as  he  compared  the  condition  and  the  worlc  of 
the  departments  under  his  charge  during  the  ten  years  then  closing.  As  in  this  volume  it 
will  be  better  to  present  such  comparisons  at  the  close  of  another  year,  they  are  here 
omitted. 

Of  members,  twenty-four  Associate,  five  Corporate,  and  fourteen  Corresponding 
had  been  elected.  Of  the  meetings  there  had  been  sixteen  of  the  general  Society,  seven 
of  the  section  of  Botany,  and  eight  of  the  section  of  Entomology.  The  average  atten- 
dance had  been  twenty-two  at  the  general  meetings,  eight  at  the  Botanical,  and  eleven  at 
the  Entomological.     The  meetings  of  the  last  had  been  unusually  interesting. 

The  history  of  the  Botanical  section  begun,  as  stated  by  the  Secretary,  "  under  hopeful 
auspices  three  years  ago,  is  far  from  satisfactory."  "  With  so  much  popular  interest  in 
the  study  of  Botany,  the  result  was  unexpected,  and  is  to  be  regretted." 

The  condition  of  the  Library  was  stated  .to  be  good  and  its  usefulness  never  to  have 
been  so  great — 1169  books  having  been  taken  out  by  123  persons. 

The  Society  was  indebted  to  the  Museo  Civico  of  Genoa  for  a  valuable  and  complete 
series  of  its  publications ;  to  Prof.  Joachim  Barrande  of  Prague,  for  a  set  of  his  extensive 
works ;  and  to  Prof  J.  0.  Westwood  of  Oxford,  for  a  number  of  his  papers.  The  addi- 
tions to  the  Library  are  as  follows:  volumes,  252;  parts  of  volumes,  lOOo ;  pamphlets, 
214;  maps  and  charts,  221;   total,  1692. 

Of  Publications,  two  numbers  of  the  Memoirs,  and  three  quarterly  parts  of  the  Pro- 
ceedings had  been  issued. 

A  new  volume  of  Occasional  Papers,  the  third,  had  been  put  in  press,  and  would  soon 
be  printed.  Besides  these,  a  series  of  Guides  for  Science  Teaching  had  been  prepared  for 
use  in  the  courses  of  lectures  to  the  teachers,  three  of  which  had  been  published  and 
distributed,  the  cost  being  defrayed  by  sales.  The  three  already  issued  were.  About  Peb- 
bles, by  Prof  Hyatt ;  A  few  Common  Plants,  by  Dr.  Goodale  ;  and  Commercial  and  other 
Sponges,  by  Prof  Hyatt.  These  Avere  to  be  followed  by  other  numbers.  The  Secretary 
stated  the  exchange  list  as  numbering  352  Societies  or  Journals,  of  which  50  were  United 
States  and  Canadian.' 

'It  ruiist  bo  remembered  that  the  highest  number  of  attcnihiiits  at  lessons  reachel  in  previous  years  was  ItiG. 


BOSTON  SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  207 

The  Treasurer's  account  for  the  year  showed  that  the  income  applicable  for  the  general 
purposes  of  the  Society  had  not  come  up  to  the  estimate  made  at  its  commencement,  and 
that  the  expenditures  had  been  about  three  hundred  dollars  in  excess  of  such  income. 
As,  however,  insurance  on  the  property  had  been  paid  for  five  years  in  advance,  the 
spirit  of  the  policy  not  to  expend  beyond  the  income  had  been  adhered  to.  There  had 
been  an  excess  of  all  receipts  over  expenditures  of  $835.90,  all  of  which  and  probably 
more  it  would  be  necessary  to  reserve  for  prize  and  other  special  expenses  in  accordance 
with  the  conditions  attached  to  the  use  of  the  Walker  Fmid. 

At  the  election  of  officers  but  few  changes  were  made,  and  these  only  in  the  Com- 
mittees on  the  departments  of  the  Museum.  M.  E.  Wadsworth  was  chosen  on  the  Min- 
eral Committee  instead  of  L.  S.  Burbank,  Rev.  G.  Frederick  Wright  on  the  Geological 
Committee  instead  of  T.  Sterry  Hunt,  W.  F.  Whitney,  M.  D.,  was  added  to  the  Com- 
mittee on  Comparative  Anatomy,  C.  0.  Wliitman  was  chosen  on  the  Committee  of  Mol- 
lusks,  in  place  of  L.  Lincoln  Thaxter,  and  E.  L.  Mark  in  place  of  Dr.  J.  B.  S.  Jackson, 
deceased. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Council  following  the  general  annual  meeting  of  the  Society, 
the  trustees  presented  their  estimate  of  the  probable  income  of  the  Society,  applicable  for 
general  purposes  for  the  ensuing  year,  as  |8538.16.  As  a  portion  of  the  income  for 
special  uses,  amounting  to  several  hundred  dollars,  might  be  expended  for  general  pur- 
poses, they  recommended  that  $8800  be  appropriated  for  expenditure,  not  well  perceiving 
how  less  could  be  used  without  detriment  to  the  interests  of  the  Society. 

Walker  Prizes.  The  subject  proposed  for  this  year  was  "  The  structure,  history,  and 
development  of  some  cryptogamous  plant."  One  essay  was  presented,  but  it  was  not 
deemed  worthy  of  a  pi'ize,  and  no  award  was  therefore  made. 

In  October  the  Woman's  Educational  Association  having  requested  the  use  of  the  lec- 
ture room  of  the  Society  for  botanical  lectures  on  Mondays  and  Fridays,  the  Council 
granted  the  request  upon  the  condition  that  the  expense  of  heating  the  room,  and  of  the 
janitor's  services,  should  be  paid  by  the  Association.  The  Council  appointed  at  this  time 
committees  to  act  upon  special  matters  as  follows :  On  the  grand  Walker  Prize,  soon  to 
be  awarded.  Professor  Wm.  B.  Rogers,  Professor  Goodale,  and  Colonel  Theodore  Lyman  ; 
on  tablets  to  be  placed  in  the  entrance  hall  of  the  Museum,  commemorative  of  its  great 
benefactors,  Rev.  Robert  C.  Waterston,  Edwai'd  Burgess,  and  Alpheus  Hyatt. 

The  Council  also  voted  that  the  President  appoint  a  committee  to  consider  and  report 
upon  a  plan  for  the  reception  of  the  American  Association  for  the  Advancement  of 
Science,  that  body  having  decided  to  meet  in  Boston  the  coming  summer. 

In  November,  the  Council  granted  to  Mr.  L.  S.  Burbank  permission  to  use  the  lecture 
room  of  the  Society  for  a  course  of  geological  lectures,  he  paying  only  such  expenses  as 
might  be   incurred  for  janitor's  services,  etc. 

In  December,  a  vote  was  passed  by  the  Council  authorizing  the  Committee  on  Publi- 
cation to  attempt  the  publication  of  an  illustrated  quarto  volume  of  the  Memoirs  as  a 
part  of  the  Society's  celebration  of  the  semi-centennial  anniversary  of  its  foundation, 
by  soliciting  subscriptions  for  such  memoirs  at  ten  dollars  per  copy.  The  committee  was 
also  authorized  to  begin  to  prepare  and  arrange  for  the  publication  when  five  hundred 
dollars  were  subscribed. 


208  HISTORICAL  SKETCH   OF  THE 

In  December,  a  petition  to  the  Society  having  been  presented  for  the  formation  of  a 
section  of  Microscopy,  signed  by  Messrs.  S.  P.  Sharpies,  Samuel  Wells,  R.  R.  Andrews, 
Edward  Burgess,  J.  Frank  Brown,  David  Hunt,  Jr.,  Francis  A.  Osborn,  E,.  C.  Greenleaf, 
A.  Hyatt,  G.  F.  Waters,  and  W.  F.  Whitney,  the  consent  of  the  Corporate  Members  was 
given  at  two  meetings  in  accordance  with  the  By-laws,  and  the  section  was  thus  formed. 

1880.  Walker  Grand  Honorary  Prize.  In  January,  the  Committee  on  the  award  of 
the  Walker  Grand  Honorary  prize,  having  unanimously  recommended  Dr.  Josejih  Leidy,  of 
Philadelphia,  as  eminently  worthy  to  receive  it,  for  his  prolonged  investigations  and  dis- 
coveries in  Zoology  and  Palaeontology,  as  presented  in  publications  made  by  him,  it  was 
voted  by  the  Council  that  the  grand  prize  be  given  to  Dr.  Leidy,  and  that  in  conse- 
quence of  the  extraordinary  merit  of  his  work  that  the  sum  awarded  ha  one  thousand 
dollars. 

In  January,  also,  the  Custodian  reported  to  the  Council  that  the  Committee  of  the 
department  of  Comparative  Anatomy  objected  to  his  projDOsed  re-arrangement  of  the  col- 
lection of  that  department,  and  asked  that  the  question  at  issue  might  be  referred  to  the 
next  meeting  for  decision.  Tlius  was  brought  before  the  Council  the  very  important  mat- 
ter of  determining  whether  the  collection  of  Comparative  Anatomy,  like  the  other  collec- 
tions of  the  Society,  should  be  arranged  in  subordination  to  the  great  plan  proposed  and 
adopted  at  the  commencement  of  the  decade  for  the  whole  museum,  or  if  tlie  collection  of 
that  department  should  remain  an  exception,  not  becoming  a  part  of  a  series,  the  full 
completion  of  which  was  essential  to  illustrate  in  the  best  manner  the  general  laws  of 
science. 

At  the  next  meeting  of  the  Council,  which  was  held  January  21,  there  was  a  very  full 
attendance,  and  a  warm  discussion  took  place  uj^on  the  proposed  action  of  the  Custodian 
in  which  Dr.  D wight,  representing  the  Committee  of  the  department  of  Comparative 
Anatomy,  —  Professors  Hyatt  and  Shaler,  Colonel  Lyman  and  Messrs.  Allen  and  Bouve 
took  part. 

The  great  work  that  had  l^een  done  by  members  of  the  committee  upon  the  collection 
in  past  years,  demanded  that  all  said  by  them  against  a  change  should  be  thoughtfully 
and  respectfully  considered.  There  was  therefore,  no  disposition  to  hasten  a  decision, 
and  accordingly  a  vote  was  passed  referring  the  matter  to  a  committee  of  three  to  be 
appointed  by  the  President.  Colonel  Theodore  Lyman  and  Messrs.  S.  H.  Scudder  and  Sam- 
uel Wells  were  named  as  this  committee,  and  instructed  to  report  at  a  meeting  to  be  held 
a  week  later.  Upon  the  Council  again  coming  together  a  report  was  presented  by  the 
chairman  of  the  committee  favoring  the  proposed  re-arrangement,  whereupon  Dr.  Dwight 
said  he  would  not  further  oppose  the  execution  of  the  plan  of  the  Custodian,  though  he 
personally  believed  the  collections  would  l)e  injured  by  the  change. 

The  Council  then  passed  a  vote  with  but  one  dissentient  voice,  approving  the  proposed 
action  of  the  Custodian  in  carrying  out  the  plan  of  1870,  with  regard  to  the  department 
of  Comparative  Anatomy. 

Tluis  was  settled,  not  without  much  feeling,  but  amicably,  a  question,  the  decision  of 
which  in  favor  of  the  proposed  change,  was  regarded  by  the  great  majority  as  most 
important  for  the  welfare  of  the  Society,  whilst  a  number  of  members  influential  through 
eminent  service  in  its  behalf,   thought  tlie  proposed  action  uncalled  for  and  detrimental. 


BOSTON  SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  209 

It  may  be  conceded  thot  much  worthy  of  consideration  was  said  in  support  of  their  views, 
but  it  is  believed  that  all  students  of  nature  will  finally  concur  in  the  opinion  that  the 
decision  made  was  a  wise  one. 

Dr.  Thomas  Mayo  Brewer. 

At  the  general  meeting  of  the  Society  on  February  the  fourth,  the  President,  Mr.  T. 
T.  Bouve  said  : 

Since  we  last  met,  the  Society  has  lost  one  of  its  oldest  and  most  valued  members,  Dr. 
Thomas  M.  Brewer. 

It  grieved  me  as  an  old  personal  friend  to  learn  when  in  a  distant  state,  that  the  disease, 
by  which  as  I  knew  before  leaving  home  he  was  prostrated,  had  terminated  fatally,  and 
that  I  should  not  again  receive  his  pleasant  greeting  on  earth,  or  even  have  the  sad  satis- 
faction of  being  present  at  the  funeral  services  following  his  departure.  The  long  inter- 
course between  us  had  always  been  of  the  most  agreeable  character,  and  I  feel  that  I  have 
reason  to  mourn  that  it  has  so  unexpectedly  and  mournfully  terminated.  This  is  not  the 
place,  however,  for  me  to  indulge  in  the  expression  of  personal  bereavement,  but  rather 
to  dwell  on  the  great  loss  the  Society  and  community  have  met  in  the  death  of  our  beloved 
associate. 

Dr.  Brewer  was  born  in  Boston,  Nov.  21st.  1814.  He  arraduated  at  Harvard  College  in 
1835,  and  in  the  Medical  School  in  1838.  He  labored  in  his  profession  for  several  years, 
but  his  tastes  and  inclinations  were  stx'onger  for  other  pursuits.  He  was  fond  of  literary 
labor,  and,  having  strong  political  tendencies  was  early  led  to  write  for  one  of  the  lead- 
ing Whig  papers  of  the  period,  the  Boston  Atlas,  and  at  length  to  become  one  of  its  edi- 
tors, in  which  capacity  he  manifested  marked  ability  both  as  a  writer  and  close  observer. 
Subsequently  he  became  interested  in  the  firm  of  Swan  and  Tileston,  a  publishing  house 
which  was  afterwards  changed  to  that  of  Brewer  and  Tileston.  He  retired  from  business 
in  1875  and  then  visited  Europe,  where  he  remained  two  years.  He  had  become  well 
known  by  his  ornithological  labors  and  received  consequently  very  gratifying  attention 
from  many  distinguished  scientific  men  whilst  abroad. 

In  the  cause  of  popular  education  he  was  very  zealous,  manifesting  at  all  times  great 
interest  in  the  public  schools  of  the  city.  He  was  long  a  member  of  the  Boston  School 
Committee,  and  served  in  this  capacity  with  great  devotedness.  His  last  election  to  this 
office  was  in  1879,  for  the  term  of  three  years. 

Dr.  Brewer  was  elected  a  member  of  this  Society  October  7th,  1835,  and  soon  l)ecame 
well  known  by  his  valuable  contributions,  mostly  upon  his  favorite  subject  of  ornithology. 
It  is  jjleasant  to  recall  the  fact  that  his  first  communication  to  the  Society  was  in  defence 
of  Nuttall  and  Audubon,  the  distinguished  naturalists,  the  latter  his  warm  personal  friend, 
against  some  unjust  attempts  in  a  foreign  magazine  to  detract  from  their  well  earned  and 
deserved  reputation.  Not  long  after  he  presented  a  highly  interesting  paper  upon  the 
Birds  of  Massachusetts,  in  which  he  gave  an  account  of  over  forty  species  not  embraced 
in  the  State  report  of  Dr.  Hitchcock  upon  tlie  Geology  and  Natural  History  of  the  State. 
From  that  early  period,  now  nearly  half  a  century  since,  he  never  ceased  to  manifest  great 
interest  in  the  welfare  of  the  Society,  by  frequent  communications  and  in  such  other  ways 
as  his  health  would  admit. 


210  HISTORICAL   SKETCH   OF   THE 

Apart  from  what  he  performed  for  the  Society,  he  accomphshed  much  for  scientific 
knowledo-e  hy  contributions  to  several  publications  of  great  value,  and  by  articles  which 
he  furnished  for  some  of  the  popular  magazines. 

As  these  remarks  will  be  supplemented  by  particular  mention  of  Dr.  Brewer's  scientific 
writin-^i-s  in  a  sketch  furnished  by  his  friend  Mr.  J.  A.  Allen,  it  will  not  be  necessary  for  me 
to  make  further  reference  to  them,  and  I  need  only  add  that,  had  he  lived  free  from  the 
business  cares  that  until  recently  absorbed  most  of  liis  time,  much  more  might  have  Ijeen 
looked  for  from  him  relative  to  the  habits  of  Ijirds,  particularly  of  such  as  find  a  home 
permanently  or  temporarily  in  New  England. 

We  of  the  Society  will  greatly  miss  his  efficient  labors  in  striving  to  complete  the  collec- 
tion in  the  department  of  New  England  Ornithology,  for  the  development  of  which  he 
manifested  much  and  increasing  interest. 

In  the  death  of  Dr.  Brewer  our  Society  has  lost  a  most  valuable  member,  and  the 
community,  a  good  and  wise  citizen,  one  of  whom  it  may  be  truly  said  :  He  was  always 
foitliful  to  the  duties  of  every  position  in  which  he  was  placed,  and  ever  ready  to  work 
where  he  recognized  that  his  labors  would  promote  the  puljlic  welfare. 

The  following  notice  of  Dr.  Brewer's  scientific  labors  by  Mr.  J.  A.  Allen,  was  also  con- 
tributed. 

The  death  of  Dr.  Brewer  removes  another  of  the  older  American  ornithologists,  of 
whom  there  now  remain  two  only  whose  period  of  scientific  activity  extends  back  to  the 
time  of  Audubon  and  Nuttall.  Dr.  Brewer's  first  formal  contribution  to  ornithology,  enti- 
tled "  Some  additions  to  the  Catalogue  of  the  Birds  of  Massachusetts  in  Prof.  Hitchcock's 
Report,  etc.,"  was  published  in  1837,  in  the  first  volume  of  the  "  Journal"  of  this  Society. 
These  additions  numbered  forty-five  species  and  increased  by  one-fourth  the  list  of  birds 
previously  known  as  inhabitants  of  this  State.  Previously,  however,  he  had  furnished  val- 
uable notes  and  rare  specimens  of  birds  to  Audubon,  who  in  his  great  work  on  North 
American  birds,  makes  frequent  mention  of  liis  indebtedness  to  "  his  young  friend,  Mr.  T. 
M.  Brewer  of  Boston." 

In  1840,  he  became  more  generally  known  as  an  ornithologist  through  his  edition  of 
Wilson's  "  American  Ornithology,"  —  the  only  American  edition  of  Wilson's  work,  except 
Ord's,  published  prior  to  1871.  The  "  Brewer  Edition,"  from  its  comparatively  small  cost, 
placed  this  delightful  work  within  the  reach  of  a  wide  circle  of  readers,  to  Avhom  the  more 
expensive  original  and  Ord  editions  were  inaccessible.  It  was  enriched  by  the  addition  to 
the  original  text  of  the  s_ynonymy  and  critical  commentary  of  Jardine's  edition,  and  by  a 
very  useful  and  carefully  digested  synopsis  of  all  the  birds  at  that  time  known  as  North 
American. 

In  1857  was  published  the  first  part  of  his  "  North  American  Oology,"  which  forms  part 
of  volume  IX  of  the  "Smithsonian  Contiibutions  to  Knowledge."  The  full  title  of  the 
work  —  "  North  American  Oology ;  being  an  account  of  the  geographical  distribution  of 
the  birds  of  North  America  during  the  breeding  season,  with  figures  and  descriptions  of 
their  eggs" — indicates  very  fairly  its  scope  and  character,  but  in  addition  to  the  topics 
thus  indicated,  the  work  gives  a  pretty  full  exposition  of  the  breeding  habits  of  the  spe- 
cies treated,  so  fai-  as  then  known,  and  also  full   tables  of  synonymy.     Owing  to  the  great 


BOSTON  SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  211 

cost  of  the  illustrations,  the  work  was  not  continued  beyond  the  first  part,  which  treats  of 
the  Birds  of  Prey,  the  Swifts,  Swallows,  Goatsuckers  and  Kingfishers.  This  work,  until 
witliin  tlie  last  year,  was  the  onl^^  special  treatise  extant  on  the  subject  to  which  it  relates, 
and  will  ever  hold  the  place  of  a  standard  work.  It  is,  moreover,  a  work  which  brought 
to  its  author  great  credit,  and  through  which  he  became  widely  known  as  an  ornithologist 
of  liiech  standing;. 

In  1874  appeared  "  A  History  of  North  American  Birds,"  under  the  joint  authorship  of 
S.  F.  Baird,  T.  M.  Brewer,  and  R.  Ridgway,  in  three  quarto  volumes  devoted  to  the  '•  Land 
Birds."  To  this  work  the  whole  of  the  biographical  part,  forming  probably  two-thirds  of 
the  letterpress,  was  contributed  by  Dr.  Brewer,  and  throughout  evinces  his  thorough 
familiarity  with  the  literature  of  the  suljject,  and  shows  the  hand  of  the  master  in  all  that 
relates  to  his  special  department  of  a  worlv  which  marks  an  era  in  the  history  of  North 
American  ornithology. 

Dr.  Brewer's  minor  papers  appeared  at  intervals  throughout  the  long  period  of  forty 
years,  and  embrace  important  contributions  to  our  knowledge  of  American  birds. 

He  has  loft  the  manuscript  for  the  completion  of  his  share  of  the  great  work  on  North 
American  birds  already  mentioned,  the  final  revision  of  which  he  had  just  completed  ;  also 
material  for  the  contemplated  continuation  of  his  "North  American  Oology."  His  collec- 
tion of  eggs  —  the  accumulation  of  a  long  series  of  years,  — is  doubtless  one  of  the  best 
private  collections  extant. 

Dr.  Brewer  having  been  engaged  during  the  larger  part  of  his  life  in  aljsorbing  profes- 
sional or  commercial  pursuits,  his  contributions  to  ornithology  must  have  been  largely  the 
work  of  such  Ihnited  time  as  could  be  spared  from  his  business  engagements,  and  only 
within  the  last  few  years  was  he  able  to  devote  himself  wholly  to  his  favorite  studies.  Al- 
though an  authority  of  unsurpassed  eminence  in  his  special  province,  —  that  of  North 
American  Oology,  —  his  labors  were  mainly  restricted  to  this  field,  taken,  however  in  its 
broader  sense.  Removed  suddenly,  apparently  when  there  were  years  of  activity  and  lei- 
sure before  him  for  scientific  research,  his  loss  is  one  not  easily  replaced,  nor  its  impor- 
tance readily  appreciated  except  by  those  who  knew  him  intimately  and  were  familiar  with 
his  conscientious  manner  of  investigation,  his  warm  sympathy,  and  the  thorough  loyalty  of 
his  friendship. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Council  on  the  17th  of  March,  the  President  called  the  attention 
of  the  members  to  the  fact  that  the  28th  of  April  would  be  the  semi-centennial  anniver- 
sary of  the  formation  of  the  Society,  suggesting  that  a  public  celebration  of  the  event 
should  take  place. 

After  discussion  it  was  unanimously  voted,  that  the  President  should  appoint  a  com- 
mittee, including  himself  as  cliairinau,  to  arrange  for  a  proper  celebration,  with  full  pow- 
ers to  take  such  measures  as  they  judged  expedient.  The  committee  as  formed  consisted 
of  the  President,  Mr.  Jolni  Cumiuiugs,  Mr.  S.  H.  Scudder,  Mr.  Charles  W.  Scudder,  and 
Mr.  Edward  Burgess.  It  will  be  remembered  that  the  Council  in  December  had  passed 
a  vote  in  view  of  this  year  being  the  semi-centennial  one  of  the  foundation  of  the 
Society,  that  there  should  be  published  an  illustrated  quarto  volume  of  its  memoirs  as  a 
part  of  the  Society's  celebration  of  the  event,  if  subscriptions  could  be  obtained  for  copies 


212  HISTORICAL   SKETCH   OF  THE 

that  would  jdeld  five  hundred  dollars.  As  more  than  the  necessary  number  of  names  had 
already  been  secured,  preparation  was  made  for  the  issiie  of  such  a  vohmie.  Subsequently 
the  President  was  solicited  to  write  for  the  same  volume  a  sketch  of  the  history  of  the 
Society,  from  its  foundation  to  the  close  of  the  fiftieth  year  of  its  existence.  This,  after 
much  hesitation,  he  consented  to  do,  recognizing  the  importance  of  having  such  a  sketch 
prejiai'ed,  whilst  yet  some  of  the  foiniders  of  the  Society  were  alive  and  able  to  give 
information  concerning  their  early  brother  members,  and  fearing  that  otherwise  it  would 
be  left  undone. 

The  committee  appointed  to  take  measures  for  the  celebration  of  the  semi-centennial 
anniversary  were  faitliful  to  their  trust,  taking  active  measures  to  ensure  success.  It  soon 
became  manifest  that  the  occasion  was  to  be  one  of  great  interest,  all  persons  addressed 
being  found  ready  to  cooperate  with  the  committee  in  carrying  out  their  plans.  Cheer- 
fully His  Excellency  Governor  Long,  His  Honor  Mayor  Prince,  President  Eliot  of  Harvard 
University,  Dr.  Samuel  Eliot,  Superintendent  of  the  Public  Schools,  Mr.  Agassiz,  Direc- 
tor of  the  Museum  of  Comparative  Zofilogy,  and  the  Eev.  Robert  C.  Waterston,  responded 
to  calls  upon  them  to  take  jJ^ii't  in  the  proceedings.  The  committee's  labors  were  mul- 
tiforious  ;  they  had  printed  for  use  at  the  meeting  and  for  distribution,  an  introduction  to 
the  General  Guide  to  the  Museuui  then  in  preparation  by  Prof.  Hyatt ;  they  had  moved  the 
elephant  from  his  elevated  position,  and  other  large  animals  from  their  accustomed  places, 
and  had  erected  across  the  north  portion  of  the  main  hall  a  platform  to  accommodate  the 
speakers  and  distinguished  visitors.  This  was  carpeted  and  furnished  with  chairs,  the  rest 
of  the  hall  having  settees  over  the  floor. 

At  the  general  meeting  of  the  Society,  Ajoril  21st,  the  Nominating  Committee  having 
reported  a  list  of  officers  for  election  at  the  annual  meeting,  to  take  place  on  the  5th  of 
May,  in  which  Mr.  Bouve's  name  was  mentioned  for  President,  he  addressed  the  meeting, 
referring  to  his  having  consented  four  years  previously,  at  the  kind  solicitation  of  mem- 
bers, to  withdraw  his  resignation  then  tendered,  stating  that  there  were  several  reasons 
why  he  should  decline  re-election  at  the  present  time,  and  urging  that  the  Society  would 
not  ask  him  to  reconsider  his  determination. 

Mr.  Scudder  exjiressed  the  hope  that  the  President's  withdrawal  was  not  imperative, 
and  dwelt  upon  the  work  done  under  his  administration,  which  had  resulted  m  the  final 
crystallization  of  the  policy  of  the  Society. 

Remarks  were  also  made  by  Mr.  Hyatt,  Mr.  Burgess  and  Mr.  Nathan  Appleton,  ex- 
jjressive  of  regret  at  the  contemplated  action  of  the  President.  He,  however,  warmly 
thanking  the  speakers  for  their  kind  expressions,  reiterated  his  resolve  to  resign.  It  was 
therefore  voted  to  recommit  the  report  to  the  nominating  committee  for  reconsideration. 
This  being  done  they  withdi'ew,  and  after  consultation  re-entered  the  meeting,  and  pre- 
sented an  amended  report,  nominating  for  President  in  the  place  of  Mr.  Bouve,  Samuel 
H.  Scudder.     The  report  was  then  accepted. 

At  this  meeting  the  uiodels  of  the  s\ni  and  the  eartli  were  presented  to  the  Society  by 
the  Boston  Scientific  Society.  These  consist  of  a  gilt  ball  i-epresentiug  the  sun,  thi'ce 
inches  in  diameter,  and  a  white  plate  on  which  is  a  black  .spot  three  one-hundredths  of 
an  inch  in  diameter,  which  symbolizes  the  earth.  These  were  placed  one  on  the  centre  of 
each  arch  at  the  side  of  the  stairs  in  the  niiiin  hall  of  entrance   to   the   Museum.     They 


a'^Ao^ ^  "7^  //  ^  ^  ^  ^ 


BOSTON  SOCIETY    OF  NATURAL   HISTORY.  213 

I'cpresent  approximately  the  proportionate  size  of  the  sun  and  the  earth,  and  their  dis- 
tance from  each  other  rehitive  to  size.  The  proportionate  scale  of  the  models  and  their 
distance  apart  is  about  a  foot  to  three  millions  of  miles,  or  about  one  inch  to  two  hundred 
and  fifty  thousand  miles. 

A  vote  was  passed,  that  the  Presideiit  appoint  at  leisure  a  committee  of  three  to  con- 
sider the  desirability  of  abolishing  the  Committees  in  the  departments,  and  of  devising  a 
different  plan  for  organizing  the  Council,  and  to  j^ropose  the  necessary  change  in  the  Con- 
stitution and  By-Laws  for  this  purpose.  The  President  subsequently  appointed  as  this 
conuuittee,  S.  H.  Scudder,  Dr.  B.  Joy  Jeffries,  and  Edward  Burgess. 

TiiK  Semi-Centennial  Celebration  of  the  Foundation  of  the  Society;  Afril  28. 

The  anniversary  day  was  pleasant  and  all  things  conspired  to  render  the  occasion  inter- 
esting and  joyous.  The  spacious  platform  which  had  been  erected  across  the  north  portion 
of  the  main  hall  was  occupied  by  the  President,  the  speakers,  the  officers  of  the  Society 
and  a  large  number  of  ladies  and  gentlemen. .  A  large  audience,  composed  of  members  of 
the  Society  and  very  many  prominent  men  and  women  of  the  city  and  State,  filled  the  floor 
of  the  hall  and  such  portions  of  the  galleries  as  were  convenient  to  use.  Amongst  the  dis- 
tinguished persons  present,  were  His  Excellency  Governor  Long,  President  Eliot  of  Har- 
vard University,  Prof  Asa  Gray,  the  illustrious  botanist,  Alexander  Agassiz,  Director  of  the 
Museum  of  Comparative  Zoology,  Count  Louis  Francois  de  Pourtales,  Dr.  Samuel  Eliot, 
Superintendent  of  the  Public  Schools,  Miss  Lucretia  Crocker,  Supervisor  of  the  Public 
Schools,  Dr.  D.  Humphreys  Storer,  Judge  G.  W.  Warren,  Prof.  F.  W.  Putnam,  Rev.  Robert 
C.  Waterston  and  Mrs.  Waterston,  Hon.  Josiah  Quincy,  Prof  E.  S.  Morse,  Colonel  Theo- 
dore Lyman,  Dr.  J.  C.  White,  Mr.  Justin  Winsor,  Librarian  at  Harvard  LTniversity,  and  Mr. 
John  Cumminti's. 

At  half  past  three,  the  time  of  commencement,  the  President,  Thomas  T.  Bouve,  after 
calling  the  assembly  to  order,  began  his  address  as  follows : 

Mevibers  of  the  Society,  my  Associates  in  its  service,  my  Companions  for  many  years  in 
its  labors,  its  trials  and  its  achievements  :  —  I  congratulate  you.  I  think  we  have  reason 
to  congratulate  each  other  that  we  come  here  surrounded  by  a  host  of  sympathizing 
friends ;  and  ladies  and  gentlemen,  whose  names  we  have  not  the  honor  of  having  recorded 
on  our  rolls  as  members,  as  a  representative  of  the  Society,  I  bid  you  a  hearty  welcome 
here  to  commemorate  its  formation  and  to  rejoice  in  its  success. 

With  these  very  few  words  of  greeting,  for  the  time  will  admit  of  no  more,  I  proceed  at 
once  to  present  what  I  have  prepared  for  the  occasion.  It  is  an  account  of  the  doings  of 
those  who  took  an  active  part,  before  the  Society  was  formed,  in  interesting  the  public  in 
natural  history.  I  do  this  because  their  labors  have  not  been  duly  appreciated,  and  because 
the  lessons  which  their  experience  is  designed  to  teach  certainly  rec^uire  that  we  should 
take  time  to  do  it.  What  I  hold  in  m}'  baud  is  intended  as  an  inti'oductory  chapter  in  the 
history  of  the  Society  of  Natural  History  on  which  1  am  engaged,  —  a  memorial  volume 
to  be  issued  this  year. 

The  President  then  proceeded  to  present  the  early  steps  taken  to  inculcate  a  love  for  the 
study  of  nature  in  this  community,  particularly  dwelling  upon  the  formation  of  the  Liia- 


214  HISTORICAL   SKETCH   OF  THE 

naean  Society,  its  history  and  its  decline.  He  then  gave  a  brief  account  of  the  movements 
made  towards  the  formation  of  a  new  Society,  which  cuhninated  in  the  existence  of  the 
Boston  Society  of  Natural  History.  As  nearly  the  whole  address  is  embraced  in  the  open- 
ing pages  of  this  volume,  no  further  mention  of  it  is  necessary  here. 

At  the  clOjSe  of  the  President's  remarks  a  telegram  was  handed  to  him  from  Prof.  Wil- 
liam B.  Rogers  dated  Washington,  D.  C,  expressing  regret  that  he  could  not  be  present, 
and  rejoicing  in  the  prosperity  of  the  Society.  His  Excellency  Governor  Long  was  then 
introduced.^ 

Address  of  Governor  Long. 

When  I  was  invited  to  be  present  at  this  interesting  anniversary,  thorougldy  grateful  for 
the  courtesy,  I  felt  at  first  that  neither  personally  nor  as  an  official  of  the  State  ought  I  to 
take  any  other  part  in  it  than  that  of  a  looker-on.  But  1  remembered  that  the  seeds  of 
your  noble  institution,  Mr.  President,  like  those  of  so  many  of  the  best  fruits  of  New  Eng- 
land, were  sown  not  altogether  by  the  scientists  nor  by  any  one  profession,  but  by  common 
men  who  lifted  up  their  eyes  above  the  ordinary  toil  of  life,  and  who  for  themselves  and 
their  fellow-men  reached  out  to  higher  levels  of  knowledge  and  usefulness.  1  remembered 
too  that  your  first  great  endowment  came  from  a  merchant  —  type  of  the  unbroken  line  of 
the  peerless  merchants  of  Boston  —  who  was  little  known  among  scientific  scholars,  yet 
contributed  from  the  accumulations  of  his  thrift  to  a  higher  culture  than  his  own,  and  that 
this  was  only  the  beginning  of  a  series  of  generous  contributions  from  citizen  after  citizen, 
which  culminated  at  last  in  ample  revenues  from  your  chief  benefactor,  who  was  not  less 
distinguished  for  his  wisdom  in  affairs  than  for  his  professional  acquirements.  And  1  re- 
membered more  than  all,  that  the  Commonwealth,  which  from  the  days  of  her  founders 
until  now  never  yet  has  failed  the  cause  of  education  among  her  children,  had  from  the 
first  been  the  steadfast  friend  of  this  Society,  giving  it  incorporation,  aiding  it  in  its  early 
years  with  a  modest  but  saving  annual  subsidy,  and,  in  1861,  making  to  it  the  uumificent 
donation  of  land  on  which  its  foundations  now  rest  secure, —  a  donation  that  came  not  only 
with  the  good  will  and  the  God-speed  of  the  Commonwealth,  but  with  all  the  sympathy 
and  inspiration  of  the  soul  of  Governor  Andrew,  who,  next  to  his  devotion  to  human  rights 
and  hate  of  human  wrongs,  cherished  the  love  of  that  enlarging  learning  which  he  knew 
is  from  the  meanness  of  wrong  to  tlie  nol)ility  of  right  the  slow  but  sure  highway. 

And  so  as  one  of  the  many  citizens  of  Massachusetts,  and  also  as  one  in  official  station 
representing  her,  1  am  emboldened,  at  your  request,  Mr.  President,  to  unite  my  voice  in 
the  acclaim  that  hails  this  fiftieth  anniversary  of  your  existence.  Memory  and  imagina- 
tion,—  those  ex(|uisite  poets  of  the  liuiiian  mind, —  memory  tliat  looks  tenderly  back  over 
the  jiast,  and  imagination  that  idealizes  and  yet  in  all  its  uu)unting  knows  that  it  fails  to 
picture  or  connnand  the  future  —  are  making  this  occasion  not  the  mere  boast  of  fifty 
years'  success,  but  a  tril)ute  to  what  man  has  done,  and  a  stimulus  to  what  man  yet  a 
thousand  times  more  ;-hall  do  in  behalf  of  tlie  hapj^iness,  the  deliglit,  the  kuowk'dgc,  the 
ennobling  of  his  ll'llow-men,  unlocking  from  every  nook  and  corner  of  the  earth,  and  dis- 
playing in  every  form  and  motion  of  life,  the  beneficence  of  God.  What  a  stride  from 
those  first  small  days, —  that  parlor  sofa  that  once  held  you  all, —  those  modest  rooms,  to 
this  splendid  temple,  which  I  trust  is  to  Ije  your  permanent  home,  Avhere  shall  not  only 
gather  your  rare  and  beautiful  collections,  but   cluster  with  them    also  the  nieniories  of  the 

1  Tlu'.    aiMres?es   .it   tlii'    Sunu-C'cntcniiial    iiiei'lin;:   ;is   ])ro-         lakcii   frinii  llu'  n'purts  iii.adc  iS  tlicni  for  tlie  li.i!<ti)ii  Daily 
Kciitcil,  widi    tlie    cxci'Jiticni    (if  (hat    ol'  Dr.  Wntrrslcii.  Wfi-f  Ailvi.'1'ti.-cr. 


BOSTON   SOCIETY    OP  NATURAL   HISTORY.  215 

zeal  and  devotion  that  have  marked  so  many  of  your  members.  The  birds  of  Bryfint,  the 
insects  of  Harris,  the  shells  of  Gould,  the  fossils  from  the  Sivalik  Hills,  the  contributions  of 
a  thousand  helpful  hands  from  every  quarter  of  the  globe  suggest  something  more  than 
their  scientific  value.  For  they  are  still  alive  with  the  generous  love  of  science  which 
prompted  their  bestowal,  and  which,  clinging  to  them  still  like  the  scent  to  the  vase, 
wreathes  j^our  walls,  more  beautifully  than  the  chisel  of  the  artist  and  in  more  enduring 
material,  with  the  names  and  the  features  of  those  of  whom  I  have  sjaoken.  Yes,  and  of 
Greene  and  Wyman  and  Jackson  and  Greenwood  and  Brewer  and  a  hundred  others. 

If  fifty  years  have  wrought  all  this  from  such  a  slender  beginning,  what  shall  not  fifty 
years  more  achieve  ?  Everything,  indeed,  for  science ;  everything  for  the  increase  of 
human  knowledge.  But  more  than  all  else,  speaking  for  that  Commonwealth  which  means 
not  a  function  of  government,  but  means  the  common  weal  of  the  people  and  of  all  the 
people  of  Massachusetts,  her  humblest,  her  weakest,  her  most  dependent,  those  who  sadly 
and  heavily  bear  the  burdens,  who  hew  the  wood  and  draw  the  water,  I  love  to  think  that 
your  labors,  much  as  they  delight  you,  will  still  more  bear  fruit  for  them,  and  that  you 
are  fulfilling  the  time  when  the  student  of  science,  exulting  in  the  treasures  that  come  to 
liis  exploring,  and  touching  at  his  fingers'  ends  the  keys  that  turn  every  element  of  the 
physical  world  into  an  agency  of  usefulness,  not  only  finds  his  own  cup  full,  but  is  the  ben- 
efactor of  the  whole  human  race,  alleviating  the  weight  of  toil,  shortening  the  hours  of 
the  drayage  of  labor,  enlarging  the  capacities  and  material  of  a  brighter,  happier,  more 
generous  life  for  all  alike,  and  letting  every  soul  go  freer  and  freer  in  its  up-springing  and 
response  to  God. 

The  President  next  introduced  Dr.  Samuel  Eliot,  Superintendent  of  the  Boston  Public 
Schools. 

Address  of  Dr.  Eliot. 

In  opening  his  speech  Dr.  Eliot  observed  that  he  did  not  understand  why  he  was  called 
upon  to  represent  the  city  of  Boston  in  the  absence  of  Mayor  Prince.  The  only  title, 
said  he,  which  I  can  so  much  as  imagine  entitling  me  to  speak  in  behalf  of  Boston,  is  that, 
to  some  extent,  I  am,  for  the  time  being,  a  rej^resentative  of  the  public  education  of  the 
city.  Boston  has  no  brighter  jewel  in  her  crown,  Boston  has  had  no  higher  function  in 
all  the  long  years  of  its  past,  than  that  which  has  made  her  the  teacher  and  the  mother  of 
so  many  thousands  of  her  children.  Indeed,  this  education  given  in  the  public  schools  of 
various  grades  and  names,  and  the  work  of  such  a  Society  as  this,  interests  me  very 
deeply.  I  think,  as  I  stand  here,  of  the  scenes  that  I  have  looked  ujjon  in  this  and  the 
adjoining  building,  where  the  teachers  of  our  public  schools  have  gone  at  the  invitation  of 
this  Society,  and,  through  individual  genius  and  the  contributions  of  the  friends  of  this 
Society,  have  received  lessons  which  they,  in  their  turn,  have  given  to  their  children. 
And  when  I  think  of  all  that  this  involves  of  nearness  to  nature,  which  forms  so  true  an 
essential  of  education,  and  which,  without  such  help  as  this  Society  has  given,  would  be 
to-day  little  more  than  a  name  among  our  teachers  and  our  pupils,  I  feel  that  I  have  the 
riglit,  in  behalf  of  the  public  schools  of  Boston  and  of  the  whole  conuuunity,  to  thank  the 
Society  of  Natural  History  for  the  help  which  they  have  given  us.  Nearness  to  nature, 
as  I  said,  is  one  of  the  great  essentials  of  education,  but  it  has  been  one  of  the  most  diffi- 


216  niSTORICAL   SKETCH   OF  THE 

cult  assentials  to  secure  even  in  our  comparatively  late  day.  Anything  that  helps  us  to 
secure  it ;  anything  that  brings  nature  closer  to  the  schools,  and  the  schools  closer  to  na- 
ture, is  doing  good  far  beyond  the  limit  of  the  schools.  Think,  for  a  moment,  of  the 
homes  from  which  the  pupils  of  our  public  schools  come,  of  the  absolute  ignorance  of 
nature,  of  all  the  beauties  connected  with  her,  or  of  the  mysteries  which  extend  so  com- 
pletely over  all.  Think  of  the  clouds  that  may  hang  heavily  over  house  after  house  and 
tenement  after  tenement  within  the  limits  of  our  city,  and  think  how  grateful  the  people 
must  be,  that  from  this  Society  as  its  source,  is  flowing  in  streams  through  the  schools 
sweet  and  healing  water,  and  is  now  reaching  these  homes ;  that  there  is  no  home  now  so 
far  away  but  that  nature  is  reaching  it,  and  day  by  day  will  take  possession  of  it.  That  is 
the  inestimable  service,  Mr.  President,  which  I  am  here  to  acknowledge,  and  I  do  it  with  a 
most  glad  and  most  grateful  heart.  It  is  not  merely  of  the  lessons  and  teachers  of  which 
I  have  spoken.  Here  are  these  collections,  whose  founders  are  everywhere  generously 
commended.  If  the  doors  are  oj^en  the  light  goes  out  through  them  and  lights  the  earth, 
and  we  mav*  be  glad  if  we  can  even  add  a  hundredth  part  to  the  radiance  that  is  every- 
where spreading  abroad  from  them.  As  gratitude,  Mr.  President,  is  always  a  lively  sense 
of  favors  to  come  I  want  to  express  my  gratitude  for  the  help  that  is  yet  to  be  given  by 
this  Society  to  those  who  come  after  us,  and  the  next  half-centmy  will  be  even  more  fruit- 
ful than  the  last  half-century  has  been,  in  maintaining  tlie  highest  interest  in  tlie  schools 
and  homes  which  Boston  claims  as  her  own. 

Address  of  Pkesidext  Eliot. 

President  Charles  Eliot,  of  Harvard  University,  upon  being  introduced  to  the  audience 
said  : 

This  Society  has  two  distinct  objects — (1)  the  promotion  of  natural  history  "by  stimu- 
lating and  aiding  advanced  study  and  original  research,  and  (2)  the  enlightenment  of  the 
common  people  concerning  animate  and  inanimate  nature.  What  I  have  to  say  touches 
each  of  these  two  o^jjects. 

It  would  carry  us  into  a  discussion  too  solemn  for  this  occasion  to  attempt  to  state  the 
primary  reasons  which  should  induce  men  to  study  nature  devotedly,  although  no  tangible 
benefits  could  ever  flow  from  that  study ;  for  I  have  never  been  able  to  find  any  better 
answer  to  the  question  —  what  is  the  chief  end  of  studying  nature  —  than  the  answer 
which  the  Westminster  catechism  gives  to  the  question,  what  is  the  chief  end  of  man  — 
namely,  "  to  glorify  God,  and  to  enjoy  him  forever." 

I  shall  ask  your  attention  to  a  proposition  which  contains  only  a  secondary,  though  suffi- 
cient, reason  for  fostering  tlie  study  of  natural  history  —  to  the  proposition  that  the 
human  race  has  more  and  groiiter  benefits  to  expect  from  the  successful  cultivation  of  the 
sciences  which  deal  with  living  things  than  from  all  the  other  sciences  put  together.  1  by 
no  means  forget  what  mechanics  and  physics  have  brought  to  pass  within  a  hundred  years. 
They  have  already  reduced  the  eartli  to  one-tenth  of  its  former  size,  as  regards  the  car- 
riage of  persons  and  goods,  and  for  the  transmission  of  thought,  will,  and  feet,  they  bid  fair 
to  make  the  whole  surface  of  the  globe  as  one  room.  Tliey  have  made  it  easy,  on  the  one 
hand,  to  concentrate  population  in  dense  masses,  and  on  the  other  to  reach  new  soils  and 


BOSTON   SOCIETY   OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  217 

shores,  and  to  distribute  to  all  countries  the  peculiar  productions  of  each.  These  wonder- 
ful achievements  of  mechanics  and  physics,  aided  by  chemistry,  produce  indirect  effects 
upon  the  well-being  of  man,  some  good  effects  and  some  bad,  with  a  probable  preponder- 
ance of  good;  but  their  direct  influence  upon  human  character  and  happiness  is  not  large. 
The  reduction  in  size  of  our  earth,  our  country,  or  our  town,  which  railways,  telegraphs 
and  telephones  have  brought  about  is  in  itself  no  satisfaction.  Rapid  locomotion  is  not  an 
object  in  itself  Does  the  average  man  get  any  more  happiness  out  of  his  little  span  than 
he  did  one  hundred  years  ago  ?  or  does  he  have  a  longer  sjjan  ?  And  if  he  does,  have  the 
inventions  of  the  past  century  in  mechanics  and  physics  been  a  direct  cause  of  the  im- 
provement ?  The  answers  to  these  questions  are  not  ready  and  clear.  We  hesitate  to 
give  an  affirmative  reply.  The  fact  is,  that  mechanics  and  physics  deal  only  indirectly 
with  human  misery, —  namely,  climatic  influences,  not  understood,  and,  therefore,  not  to 
be  guarded  against,  violent  and  unpredictable,  extremes  of  heat  or  cold,  wetness  or  dry- 
ness, ravages  of  noxious  plants  and  animals,  diseases  both  of  men  and  of  useful  animals 
and  untimely  death.  All  these  evils  belong  to  the  domain  of  natural  history,  and  for  ulti- 
mate deliverance  from  them  we  must  look  to  the  student  of  natural  science. 

It  is  astonishing  how  littje  progress  has  been  made  by  the  I'ace  in  discovering  the  means 
of  overcoming  these  evils.  Civilized  society  to-day  would  be  almost  as  helpless  as  Pharaoh 
was  against  the  plagues  which  afflicted  the  Egyptians, —  the  river  water  suddenly  made  so 
foul  that  the  fish  in  it  died,  frogs,  lice,  flies,  a  murrain  upon  cattle,  boils,  hail,  locusts,  dark 
fogs  and  the  dread  pestilence  which  struck  one  race  and  spared  another  upon  the  same 
soil.  These  are  evils  which,  for  the  most  part,  we  find  resistless  to-day.  Every  now  and 
then  some  city's  water  supply  is  rendered  unfit  for  use  by  an  extraordinary  production  of 
multitudinous  little  plants  or  animals ;  the  plant-louse  destroys  the  vines  in  a  wine-produc- 
ing country,  and  brings  the  whole  population  to  want;  pleuro-pneumonia  kills  the  cat- 
tle, now  in  this  district,  now  in  that ;  an  obscure  fungus  causes  the  potato  to  rot,  and  a 
sudden  famine  is  the  result ;  the  Colorado  beetle,  once  a  rarity  in  the  collections  of  ento- 
mologists, swarms  over  a  continent,  devouring  vast  crops,  and  forcing  the  husbandman  to 
abandon,  for  a  time  at  least,  the  cultivation  of  various  useful  plants  ;  in  some  of  the  West- 
ern States  the  harvest  depends,  not  so  much  on  the  foresight  and  skill  of  man  as  on  the 
favorableness  or  unfavorableness  of  the  season  to  the  development  of  grasshoppers.  In- 
deed, thus  for,  any  single-minded  and  prolific  worm  is  more  than  a  match  for  man.  Think, 
too,  of  the  diseases  which  afflict  humanity,  and  are  the  source  of  by  far  the  greater  part  of 
the  sufferings  and  sorrows  of  men !  There  are  the  regular  diseases  to  which  we  are  so 
accustomed  that  we  consider  them  normal  phenomena,  the  new  diseases,  which  appear  or  ' 
reappear  at  considerable  intervals,  and  the  occasional  pestilences.  Man  is  still  so  ignorant 
of  the  causes  and  sources  of  these  various  disorders,  of  the  conditions  which  develop  them, 
and  of  the  means  of  eradicating  and  resisting  them,  that  he  is  inclined  to  regard  disease 
as  a  part  of  the  order  of  nature,  over  which  he  can  win  no  control. 

But  in  view  of  all  that  science  has  accomplished  within  the  lifetmie  of  this  Society,  shall 
we  not  declare  that  this  idea  of  nature  and  of  man's  relation  to  his  environment  is  cow- 
ardly, stupid  and  ungrateful  ?  Can  we  not  clearly  foresee  that  by  the  patient,  thorough, 
cumulative  study  of  natural  history  in  all  its  branches,  men  will  gradually  arrive  at  a 
knowledge  of  plants  and  animals,  and  of  the  favorable  and  unfavorable  conditions  of  life 


218  HISTORICAL  SKETCH   OF  THE 

for  all  plants  and  animals,  which  will  give  them  control  over  many  evils  which  they  now 
find  wholly  mysterious  and  irresistible  ?  I  can  only  touch  very  briefly  upon  some  of  the 
grounds  of  this  belief 

The  physician  or  surgeon  of  the  last  century  was  hardly  wiser  than  Hippocrates  or 
more  successful ;  but  any  old  physician  or  surgeon  would  tell  us  to-day  that  the  means 
and  methods  of  observation,  diagnosis  and  treatment  have  wonderfully  improved  during 
his  lifetime ;  that  many  operations  are  now  successfully  performed  which  were  formerly 
supposed  to  be  impossible  ;  that  the  whole  subject  of  preventive  medicine  and  public  hy- 
giene has  been  developed  in  his  day  ;  and  that  he  has  seen  the  beginnings  of  the  scien- 
tific study  of  heredity,  that  most  fruitful  and  promising  field  of  scientific  and  philanthropic 
research.  Thanks  in  part  to  the  progress  in  physics  and  chemistry,  natural  history  j^os- 
sesses  new  and  powerful  implements  of  research,  and  new  methods  of  inquiry  which  are 
of  infinite  promise.  The  morbid  anatomist  observes,  not  the  gross  external  appearance^, 
but  the  abnormal  cellular  changes  which  produce,  or  are,  disease  ;  the  physiologist  studies 
the  processes  of  living  animals  ;  the  chemist  is  constantly  making  natural  organic  products 
by  artificial  means  ;  the  embryologist  has  become  conversant  with  those  slight  difi'erentia- 
tions  in  the  egg  which  are  the  starting  points  of  wide  diversities  ;  substantial  beginnings 
of  weather  knowledge  appear ;  the  whole  earth  has  been  explored,  and  now  for  the  first 
time  the  fauna  of  the  ocean  aliysses  is  made  known. 

Antiquity  had  its  great  students  of  nature,  but  they  lacked  the  means  of  diffusing,  pre- 
serving and  accumulating  their  discoveries.  The  past  four  centuries  have  had  abundant 
means  of  recording  and  transmitting  from  one  generation  to  another  all  the  scientific  truth 
which  they  became  possessed  of."  It  is  in  this  steady,  patient  and  orderly  accumulation  of 
facts  concerning  living  things  that  the  hojje  of  winning  for  man  new  powers  over  the 
gravest  natural  evils  really  lies.     This  Society  has  a  part  in  making  that  pregnant  record. 

There  is  another  aspect  of  your  Avork  which  seems  to  me  very  important.  You  pi'opose 
to  maintain  for  the  public  an  exhibition  of  all  forms  of  vegetable  and  animal  life  in  their 
wondrous  and  endless  variety.  Hither  people  may  come  and  see  their  fellow-beings  in  the 
widest  and  truest  sense.  Moralists  tell  us  that  the  best  development  of  an  individual  man 
is  not  to  be  reached  through  introspection,  self-reference  and  an  overweening  anxiety  about 
his  own  salvation.  They  say  to  every  man  —  look  out  and  not  in.  The  same  exhortation 
might  well  be  addressed  to  the  human  race.  Mankind  needs  to  look  out,  and  not  in  ;  to 
realize  that  it  is  but  one,  though  a  noble  one,  among  countless  races  aud  tribes  of  crea- 
tures which  inhabit  or  have  inhabited  this  atom  of  an  earth,  and  that  its  welfixre  is  not  the 
'sole  end  of  creation,  or  the  one  absorbing  interest  of  the  Creator.  A  few  years  ago  all 
men  believed  that  the  whole  boundless  universe  centred  upon  man.  That  delusion  has 
lost  its  hold,  except  perhaps  within  the  well-protected  domain  of  dogmatic  theology.  But 
there  are  still  many  people  who  cling  to  the  kindred  conceit  that  this  earth,  at  least,  was 
made  for  man.  It  is  a  belief  which  will  not  survive  much  acquaintance  with  the  vast  soli- 
tudes of  the  earth  which  teem  with  other  life  than  man's  —  the  everglades,  the  jungles, 
the  mountains  and  seas.  It  is  a  belief  which  a  thoughtfid  man  or  child  will  be  apt  to  qual- 
ify or  resign,  as  he  studiously  examines  such  a  collection  of  natural  history  as  this  Society 
strives  to  maintain. 


BOSTON   SOCIETY   OF  NATURAL   HISTORY.  219 

Address  of  Mr.  Alexander  Agassiz. 

Mr.  Alexander  Agassiz  was  the  next  speaker.  In  the  first  part  of  his  address  he 
mentioned  the  difficulties  through  which  the  Society  had  passed.  An  interesting  extract 
from  his  remarks  is  given  below  : 

The  scientific  man  should  be  without  nationality,  ready  to  welcome  progress  from  any 
quarter.  Science  is  bound  neither  by  country  nor  creed  in  its  relation  to  new  informa- 
tion. An  important  publication,  a  new  line  of  research,  a  brilliant  hypothesis,  should  ap- 
pcil  to  us,  not  because  it  is  American,  German,  French  or  English,  nor  because  it  is  on 
the  winning  side  in  the  questions  of  the  day.  It  is,  of  course,  natural  that  a  country  com- 
paratively young  in  scientific  culture  should  turn  to  older  institutions  for  its  standards, 
should  be  constantly  tempted  to  compare  its  own  learned  societies  and  their  doings  with 
those  of  more  ancient  date  and  established  influence.  But  while  measuring  our  progress 
by  theirs  with  honorable  emulation,  let  us  not  make  the  mistake  of  also  measuring  our 
scientific  men  by  a  reflected  light  only,  making  our  own  recognition  of  them  wait  upon 
that  from  the  other  side  of  the  water.  Every  nation  should  be  proud  of  its  great  men, 
and  may  be  excused  for  overrating  them,  but  it  should  also  add  to  an  excusable  national 
vanity  an  independence  capable  of  recognizing,  appreciating  and  sympathizing  with  the 
men  who  are  raising  the  intellectual  standard  of  their  country  to  that  of  older  ones.  The 
pioneers  of  science  in  this  country  were  neither  remote  imitators  nor  simply  commen- 
tators ;  they  have  not  only  laid  the  foundations  of  natural  science  in  this  country,  but  they 
have  extended  its  boundaries  on  many  fields.  Nor  should  we  assume  that  they  had  need 
of  a  kind  word  of  recognition  from  the  other  institutions  or  individuals.  Let  me  not, 
however,  be  understood  for  a  moment  as  disparaging  the  intelligent  criticism  of  press  or 
colleagues  at  home  or  abroad.  I  only  wish  to  distinguish  between  that  and  the  noto- 
riety so  easily  gained  by  constant  appeals  to  the  public  either  in  person  or  through 
scientific  quacks. 

Since,  however,  the  true  investigator  rarely  has  either  the  time  or  the  disposition  to  be- 
come the  expounder  of  his  own  work,  it  is  not  always  possible  for  the  public  to  draw  the 
line  between  those  who  speak  from  their  own  knowledge  and  the  scientific  Utterateur  who 
forages  in  any  field  where  booty  is  to  be  gained.  We  have  met  to-day  to  honor  the  pio- 
neers of  science  in  this  country  by  a  grateful  recognition  of  what  has  been  accomplished 
from  the  small  beginnings  of  fifty  years  ago.  Taking  up  some  of  the  more  prominent 
names  of  the  early  days  of  the  Natural  History  Society  we  must  award  the  highest  place 
to  men  like  Wyman,  Harris,  Bigelow,  Gould,  Storer  and  Binney,  whose  investigations 
have  paved  the  way  for  their  successors  of  the  present  day.  They  were  men  of  no  ordi- 
nary stamp.  They  were  men  who  in  any  country  would  have  been  recognized  as  leaders 
in  science,  and  whose  fame  will  live  when  many  of  us  are  forgotten. 

The   speech  closed  with  a  high  tribute  to  the  late  President  Wyman. 


220  HISTORICAL  SKETCH   OF   THE 

Address  of  Rev.  Robert  C.  Waterston. 

On  a  serai-centennial  celebration  like  this,  while  we  have  reason  to  congratulate  the 
members  of  the  Society  of  Natural  History  here  assembled,  on  the  great  success  which  has 
crowned  our  past  efforts,  and  on  the  cheering  prospects  of  the  future,  which  dawn  before 
us  like  the  morning  of  a  yet  brighter  day,  still  we  cannot  but  recall  with  feelings  of  sad- 
ness and  solemnity  the  ma.ny  wlio  have  labored  with  us  in  the  earlier  history  of  the 
Society,  no  longer  here.  Largely  to  their  unwearied  efforts  are  we  indebted  for  the 
prosperity  we  now  enjoy.  Constant  inspiration  comes  to  us  from  the  remembrance  of 
their  quickening  zeal,  their  love  of  knowledge,  and  their  generous  desire  to  communicate 
to  others,  what  they  so  profoundly  valued  themselves.  How  heartily  do  we  wish  they 
could  be  with  us,  on  this  eventful  day.  And  yet,  as  we  look  around  upon  these  walls,  and 
gaze  upon  the  life-like  portraits  of  the  past  officers  and  benefactors  of  the  Society,  it 
seems  as  if,  in  very  truth,  they  were  actually  here,  participating  with  us  in  the  privileges 
of  this  occasion. 

Before  us,  is  our  first  President,  Dr.  B.  D.  Greene,  with  his  calm  expression  of  blended 
sweetness  and  power.  A  love  of  nature  pervaded  his  life.  Extensively  on  this  con- 
tinent, in  the  tropics,  and  in  most  of  the  countries  of  Europe,  he  diligently  pursued  his 
botanical  researches.  Blessed  with  ample  means,  he  was  able  to  make  his  investigations 
under  every  advantage.  Years  which  might  have  been  given  to  luxurious  repose,  were 
by  him  gladly  devoted  to  earnest  study.  Thus  did  he  acquire  a  knowledge  seldom  sur- 
passed, and  while  constantly  consulted  by  younger  botanists,  never  did  he  decline  to 
impart  from  his  abundant  resources.  We  do  not  forget  that  his  rare  herbarium,  contain- 
ing the  results  of  long  personal  industry,  and  the  fruit  of  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  cent- 
ury of  intercourse  and  exchange  with  Sir  William  Hooker  and  other  distinguished  botan- 
ists in  every  section  of  the  globe,  including  plants  gathered  during  the  first  Expedition  of 
Sir  John  Franklin,  constituting  in  all  an. invaluable  collection  for  quality  as  well  as  quan- 
tity, we  do  not  forget  that  this  he  presented  to  the  Society,  together  with  between  one 
and  two  thousand  volumes  of  botanical  works  from  his  library ;  and  that  at  the  time  of 
his  death,  he  enriched  the  Society  by  a  munificent  bequest. 

And  here  by  his  side,  is  "  the  beloved  physician,"  Dr.  Augustus  A.  Gould,  who  from  his 
large  professional  labors,  could  always  find  time  for  the  benefit  of  this  Society.  In  the 
department  of  conchology  he  was  an  acknowledged  authority.  The  collections  here  bear 
testimony  to  his  zeal.  I  Avell  remember  the  interest  he  awakened  by  one  of  his  lectures  to 
teachers  within  these  walls.  Many  of  his  hearers  stopped  and  expressed  their  wish 
to  visit  in  his  company  the  sea-shore,  that  they  might  gather  shells  on  the  sands  and 
listen  to  his  instruction  in  the  midst  of  Nature.  He  made  arrangements  with  them  on 
the  spot,  and  within  a  week  they  went  together  to  a  neighboring  beach,  and  there 
they  passed  such  a  day  as  they  will  never  forget. 

And  here  is  our  friend  Professor  Jeffries  Wj'man,  who  shunned  populai-ity,  rather  than 
sought  it,  and  who  cared  always  to  he  and  never  to  seem.  His  aim  was  ever  Truth,  simple, 
absolute  Truth.  Indefatigable  in  his  researches,  he  would  never  abandon  any  investiga- 
tion until  it  was  thoroughly  completed,  and  would  leave  nothing  for  students  who  should 
come  after,  but  astonishment  at  what  he  had  accomplished.    While  engrossed  in  his  studies 


BOSTON  SOCIETY   OF   NATURAL  HISTORY.  221 

I  doubt  if  he  would  have  been  disturbed  though  an  armed  force  had  cannonaded  the  build- 
ing. It  was  said  of  Constable  the  artist,  that  in  the  fields  he  would  sit  so  calmly  in  his  con- 
templation of  the  landscape,  that  the  field-mice  would  creep  into  his  pocket.  I  think  they 
might  have  done  the  same  with  Professor  Wyman,  though  I  would  not  answer  for  it  that 
they  might  not  become,  under  his  hand,  interesting  specimens  in  Comparative  Anatomy. 
Unassuming  in  manner,  and  with  a  mortal  aversion  to  pretentious  conceit,  no  man  valued 
true  merit  more  heartily  than  he  did,  or  was  more  earnest  to  assist  struggling  endeavor. 
His  name  is  now  honored  as  widely  as  science  is  known. 

And  here  we  look  upon  the  face  of  Agassiz  whose  benignant  smile  is  to-day,  as  it  ever 
was,  a  benediction.  How  absolutely  with  him  the  man  of  science  became  the  acknowl- 
edged Instructor.  Whether  in  the  halls  of  legislation  or  the  popular  assembly,  or  before  a 
convention  of  teachers,  or  in  his  own  private  lecture-room,  he  was  the  Educator.  He 
seemed  born  for  this  vocation.  His  gift  of  speech,  his  genial  spirit,  his  sympathetic  and 
magnetic  power,  made  all  listen  with  avidity.  He  knew  not  only  how  to  gather,  but  how 
to  impart.  Whether  he  was  discoursing  upon  glaciers  or  embryology,  upon  the  structure 
of  animal  life,  coral-reefs,  star-fish,  or  an  oyster,  he  was  alike  able  to  arrest  and  rivet 
attention,  leading  the  mind  from  point  to  point,  wondering  and  delighted,  until  rising 
above  the  individual  it  grasped  the  universal,  and  seeing  the  hidden  law,  it  recognized 
through  that,  the  Divine  Intelligence. 

With  voice,  manner,  look,  he  held  entranced  the  hearer,  leading  him  onward  from 
stage  to  stage  in  the  line  of  progress.  In  all  he  did,  he  was  preeminently  the  teacher 
of  the  individual,  the  community,  the  nation.  "  I  have  been,"  he  said,  "  a  Teacher  ever 
since  I  was  fifteen  years  of  age.  I  am  so  now,  and  I  hope  I  shall  continue  to  be  all  my 
life."  He  did  so  continue,  and  so  he  still  is ;  through  the  memory  of  his  life,  and  through 
the  words  he  has  left  us.  he  is  emphatically  the  Educator ;  kindling  a  desire  for  knowledge 
and  the  love  of  progress.  The  increasing  interest  in  the  study  of  natural  history,  seen 
everywhere,  how  much  he  did  to  awaken  ! 

While  we  look  vipon  that  countenance,  do  we  not  all  recall  those  words  of  Longfellow, 
addressed  to  Agassiz  on  his  fiftieth  birthday,  where  Nature  is  represented  as  speaking : 

"  Come  wander  with  me,"  she  said, 
"  Into  regions  yet  untrod  ; 
And  read,  what  is  still  unread, 
In  the  Manuscripts  of  God  !  " 

"  So  he  wandered  awny  and  away 

With  N;iture,  the  dear  old  Nurse, 
Who  sang  to  him  night  and  day 
The  hymns  of  the  Universe  !  " 

And  even  thus,  by  night  and  by  day,  to  every  true-hearted  Naturalist,  Nature  pours 
forth  her  celestial  melodies  : 

"  And  whenever  the  way  seems  long, 
And  our  hearts  begin  to  fail, 
She  will  sing  a  more  wonderful  song,  — 
Or  tell  a  more  marvellous  tale  !  " 

The  members  of  this  Society  know  full  well  the  deep  joy  that  is  awakened  through 
that  harmony  with  Nature  which  comes  from  the  study  of  her  works.     The  vast  collec- 


222  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 

tions  of  wondei's  treasured  up  within  those  walls,  are  infinitely  more  to  the  naturalist  than 
curiosities.  They  are  revelations  of  eternal  laws.  They  are  the  condensed  history  of 
the  ages.  They  converse,  in  a  mysterious  language,  of  things  that  were  ;  unfolding  the 
marvellous  processes  that  are  ever  going  on  in  the  hidden  laboratories  of  the  earth. 

According  to  our  power  of  observation,  the  development  of  our  faculties,  the  extent  of 
our  knowledge,  and  the  elevation  of  our  own  nature,  will  be  what  we  shall  hei-e  find  and 
enjoy.  Such  collections  as  are  within  these  walls  will  help  us  to  ascertain  whether  the 
works  of  the  Almighty  have  a  language  which  we  can  interpret.  Here,  according  to  our 
susceptibility,  will  a  love  of  knowledge  be  stimulated,  the  intellectual  energies  quickened, 
and  all  that  is  best  and  noblest  in  our  nature  called  into  activity. 

Not  as  a  place  for  idle  amusement  were  these  walls  erected.  Not  to  gx'atify  a  vague 
inquisitiveness  were  these  collections  gathered.  Not  for  sjainning  the  gossamer  threads  of 
fanciful  speculation  were  these  halls  and  lecture-rooms  dedicated.  But  for  the  highest 
culture  of  Avhich  man  is  capable.  For  the  acquirement  of  solid  information.  For  the 
opportunity  of  studjdng  results  gained  by  scientific  explorers  all  over  the  globe. 
We  cannot  personally  accompany  Sir  Edward  Parry  and  Sir  John  Richardson  to  the 
Arctic  regions,  or  with  Humboldt  climb  Chimborazo,  or  penetrate  the  forests  with  Audu- 
bon, or  sail  in  "Her  Majesty's  ship"  the  "Beagle"  round  the  world,  but' we  can  come  here 
and  study  the  result  of  such  labors.  All  that  is  of  deepest  interest  between  the  equator 
and  the  two  poles,  is  here  brought  together.  In  books  of  voyages  and  travels,  in  works 
upon  botany,  zoology,  and  palaeontology ;  throiigh  specimens  of  rocks,  ores,  and  fossils, 
gathered  from  every  zone  :  what  branch  of  the  natural  sciences  may  not  here  be  inves- 
tigated ?  Here  is  opportunity  for  observation  and  thought,  analysis  and  comparison. 
Who  will  affirm  that  such  an  institution  is  not  an  essential  part  of  our  whole  educational 
system,  from  the  elementary  School,  u])  to  the  University ;  yes,  and  onward  tlu'ough  that 
continued  education  which  shall  extend  to  the  utmost  limit  of  life  ? 

This  educational  principle  Avas  recognized  from  the  very  commencement  of  the  Society, 
its  avowed  purpose  being  "  the  encouragement  and  promotion  of  the  Science  of  Natural 
History,"  which  it  was  distinctly  stated,  the  friends  of  the  Society  not  only  desired  for 
themselves,  but  that  the  interest  might  be  extended  far  beyond  their  own  circle. 

They  were,  however,  few  in  nximber,  and  with  limited  means ;  a  scant}^  library  and  a 
meagre  collection,  with  as  yet  but  feeble  response  from  the  public.  This  now  pop- 
ulous city  was  then  not  much  more  than  a  village,  and  the  very  taste  which  the  founders  of 
this  institution  sought  to  direct  and  foster,  had  first  to  l^e  created.  We  can  hardly  know 
how  they  surmounted  the  difficulties  they  had  to  overcome.  Still  they  persevered  until 
at  length  they  became  established  in  a  building  of  more  adequate  accommodation  in  Mason 
Street.  Through  every  stage,  there  was  a  recognition  of  the  same  educational  principle, 
and,  as  their  opportunities  were  enlarged,  this  purpose  became  more  and  more  prominent. 
Not  only  scientific  students  and  intelligent  citizens  availed  themselves  of  its  advantages, 
but  often  entire  schools,  with  their  teachers,  visited  the  Miiseum  for  a  day's  study ;  the 
curators  and  officers  of  the  Society  giving  explanations  in  their  several  departments,  thus 
rendering  the  occasions  of  real  service  to  both  masters  and  pupils. 

As  the  collections  accumulated,  and  the  beneficial  influence  of  the  Society  became  more 
fully  demonstrated,  a  larger  field  constantly  opened ;  and  an  appeal  was  at  length  made 
to  the  Commonwealth  for  an  appropriation  of  land  upon  which  a  more  suitable  building 


BOSTON  SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  223 

might  be  erected.  The  motive  urged  was,  that  the  institution  would  thus  be  established 
"  on  a  permanent  basis  of  augmented  usefulness."  It  was  declared  that  the  result  of  its 
thirty  years'  efforts  had  been  a  rapid  advancement  of  knowledge,  with  an  almost  uni- 
versal dissemination  of  a  love  for  the  natural  sciences,  that  now  there  was  a  general 
recognition  of  its  claims  to  an  honorable  rank  in  our  system  of  public  education,  while  it 
was  acknowledged  that  its  labors  tended  to  promote  both  the  intellectual  and  matei^ial 
prosperity  of  the  Commonwealth. 

Thus  while  it  was  well  understood  that  scientific  men  and  professional  students  were  to 
have  every  advantage  within  command  of  the  Society,  still  it  was  also  understood  that 
the  classification  of  all  the  collections,  and  their  entire  arrangement,  was  to  be  such  that 
the  public  generally  should  have  opportunity  of  gaining  correct  knowledge,  and  that 
such  practical  aid  should  be  rendered  to  our  schools,  as  might  be  invakiable  in  its  results. 

My  recollection  of  this  Society  goes  back  to  the  timC'when  it  had  its  rooms  in  the  old 
Athenamm  in  Pearl  Street.  The  building  in  Mason  Street  I  often  frequented,  and  at  the 
time  when  the  plea  was  made  for  aid  from  the  Commonwealth,  I  had  the  privilege  of 
being  one  of  the  petitioners,  and  acted  with  the  committee,  addressing  the  members  of 
tlie  Legislature  at  the  State  House.  I  recall,  as  if  it  werS  yesterday,  the  interest  of  that 
time.  I  had  just  returned  from  Europe,  and  dui'ing  an  absence  of  several  years  had 
enjoyed  opportunities  of  observing  the  working  of  such  institutions  abroad,  and  feeling 
strongly  that  the  educational  principle  was  of  the  utmost  importance,  I  dwelt  upon  it  in  my 
statements.  That  this  view  had  weight  with  the  members  of  the  Legislature,  I  have  reason 
to  know,  and  upon  this  consideration  the  generous  aid  of  the  Commonwealth  was  granted. 

I  well  remember  an  address  by  Professor  Agassiz,  at  that  time,  in  the  House  of  Piepre- 
sentatives,  on  which  occasion  he  dwelt  upon  the  desirableness  of  training  the  young,  from 
their  earliest  years,  to  observe  and  study  the  works  of  God  in  Nature,  urging  tliis  as 
among  the  l^est  means  of  disciplining  the  intellectual  powers,  purifying  the  taste  and  ex- 
alting the  character.  He  insisted  that  the  study  of  the  phenomena  of  nature  was  one  of 
the  most  potent  means  of  developing  the  human  fixculties,  and  that  such  education  should 
be  introduced  into  the  schools  as  soon  as  practicable,  and  made  an  indispensable  part  of  all 
education;  lie  trusted  tliat  the  time  when  the  importance  of  this  view  would  be  fully 
recognized  was  only  so  far  remote  as  was  necessary  for  the  preparation  of  teachers  capa- 
ble of  properly  imparting  this  instruction.  The  only  difficulty,  he  added,  is  to  find 
teachers  equal  to  the  task,  and  the  task  is  no  small  one.  The  whole  force  of  his  argument 
went  to  prove  that  an  institution  like  this,  to  aid  teacher,"?  in  their  preparation,  was  of 
inestimable  importance.  Here,  as  we  may  easily  understand,  those  who  have  an  aptitude 
for  such  studies,  may  find  materials,  examples,  illustrations,  suggestions,  all  brought  to 
their  hand  arranged  and  classified.  With  such  advantages  the  study  of  natural  history 
may  be  interwoven  with  the  whole  system  of  education,  and  become  one  of  its  most 
essential  features. 

After  this  building  was  completed,  additional  funds  were  requisite,  to  carry  out  the  work 
contemplated.  The  Commonwealth  had  granted  the  land.  Tiie  building  was  erected  by 
generous  contributions.  Now,  therefore,  that  forty  thousand  dollars  in  addition  was  to  be 
given  by  its  earnest  friends,  it  was  not  simply  to  render  it  more  attractive  to  citizens  and 
strangers,  but  it  was  avowedly  to  make  it  "  one  of  the  first  Educational  Scientific 
Institutions  in  the  Country." 


224  HISTORICAL   SKETCH   OF  THE 

This  Society  has  not  rested  satisfied  with  making  profession  of  this  purpose.  It  has  lived 
up  to  its  profession  and  its  purposes  have  been  faithfully  carried  out.  Every  promise  has 
been  kept,  and  every  reasonable  anticipation  realized. 

Persons  who  are  not  thoroughly  acquainted  with  this  Society,  can  hardly  understand 
the  amount  of  talent  and  labor  which  has  been  concentrated  in  this  worli.  What  self- 
sacrifice  on  the  part  of  individuals,  unremitting  perseverance  and  toil  have  been  necessary 
to  complete  every  arrangement. 

No  one  knows  better  than  yourself,  Mr.  President,  that  no  money  could  pay  for  the 
thought  and  labor  which  has  been  freely  rendered  here  by  the  officers  and  friends  of  this 
institution,  while  their  love  for  the  Society  and  the  cause  to  which  it  is  devoted,  has  been 
in  their  estimation  an  ample  reward. 

After  the  dedication  of  the  building,  the  work  first  inaugurated  was  a  series  of  lectures 
and  addresses  in  this  hall  to  the  Teachers  of  the  Schools  of  Boston.  Between  six  and 
seven  hundred  teachers  availed  themselves  of  the  privilege.  At  the  introductory  meeting 
the  Governor  of  the  Commonwealth,  John  A.  Andrew ;  the  Mayor  of  the  City,  F.  W.  Lin- 
coln ;  the  President  of  Harvard  University,  Thomas  Hill ;  the  Secretary  of  the  Board  of 
Education,  Joseph  White ;  tl!e  Superintendent  of  Schools,  John  D.  Philbrick ;  and 
George  B.  Emerson,  one  of  the  earliest  members  of  the  Society,  took  part,  making  it  a 
memorable  occasion. 

After  this  there  were  lectures  on  successive  weeks  by  Professor  Jeffiies  Wyman, 
Dr.  Asa  Gray,  Dr.  Augustus  A.  Gould,  Professor  W.  B.  Rogers  and  others.  These  lectures 
were  amply  illustrated,  covering  botany,  conchology,  and  general  zoology.  The  instructors 
of  over  tliirty  thousand  children  were  present.  The  ablest  scientific  men  in  the  country 
on  those  days  imparted  freely  of  their  knowledge,  suggesting  the  best  means  of  con- 
veying instruction,  and  giving  a  fresh  impulse  to  the  educators  assembled,  who,  on  their 
part,  warmly  appreciated  the  interest  thus  shown,  and  hailed  it  as  one  of  the  new  instru- 
mentalities for  their  improvement. 

This  hope  on  their  part  has  not  been  disappointed.  The  Society  has  been  consistently 
faithful  to  its  avowed  purpose,  and  whenever  their  limited  funds  have  been  inadequate 
to  meet  the  necessary  expenditure,  generous  assistance  has  been  liberally  furnished  by 
public-spirited  friends. 

To  render  the  collections  of  the  Society  more  instructive,  a  careful  rearrangement  has 
been  made  throughout,  involving  immense  labor.  Thus  through  all  the  departments  the 
educational  requirements  have  been  recognized,  and  the  successive  stages  in  the  history  of 
creation  are  visibly  unfolded  to  the  eye,  exemplifying  the  actual  results  of  scientific  knowl- 
edge and  principles.  The  hasty  observer  can  have  but  a  feeble  conception  of  the  sublime 
meaning  embodied  in  this  careful  and  scholarly  arrangement,  but  the  more  fully  it  is  com- 
prehended the  more  profound  will  be  the  appreciation. 

Teachers  and  pupils  may  often  be  seen  together,  thoughtfully  pursuing  their  investiga- 
tions from  hall  to  hall.  Some  with  artistic  skill  making  drawings,  others  taking  notes,  and 
many  more  lost  in  astonishment,  and  filled  with  admiration  and  delight. 

But  added  to  this,  regular  classes  have  been  foruied  to  whom  systematic  instruction  has 
been  given.  The  study  of  natural  history  having  been  definitely  introduced  into  the  pub- 
lic schools,  a  new  zeal  has  been  awakened  among  the  teachers.  With  some  teachers, 
additional  knowledge  is  a  necessity,  while  with  all  it  is  evidently  a  pleasure.     The  differ- 


BOSTON   SOCIETY   OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  225 

ent  branches  are  pursued  under  the  guidance  of  able  professors  in  connection  with  this 
Society.  What  is  known  as  the  "  Teacliers'  School  of  Science  "  has  acquired  positive  im- 
portance. Professor  Hyatt,  the  Custodian,  has  been  unceasing  in  his  efforts,  and  has  been 
gratified  at  the  extraordinary  success  which  has  followed  his  labors.  This  special  work 
has  been  going  on  for  the  last  ten  years,  but  never  with  such  marked  results  as  during 
the  past  year.  The  number  of  applicants  for  admission  to  these  lectures  has  been  four 
times  larger  than  in  any  previous  period.  Over  six  hundred  persons  recorded  their 
names  as  students,  while  the  average  attendance  on  each  pleasant  day  was  five  hundred. 
There  have  been  distributed  among  these  students  more  than  one  hundred  thousand  speci- 
mens. Yes,  during  the  present  year  there  has  actually  been  given  away  — not  one  thou- 
sand, or  ten  thousand,  or  fifty  thousand,  but  —  though  one  can  hardly  credit  it — one 
hundred  thousand  specimens,  all  of  which  may  be  studied  by  the  teachers  at  their  homes, 
or  used  for  illustration  in  their  schools. 

We  talk  of  the  wonders  of  the  telephone  ;  yet  here  is  a  still  more  felicitous  method  of 
communication;  six  hundred  intelligent  teachei's,  going  forth  froni  this  place  to  convey 
the  knowledge  gained  to  thirty  thousand  young  people,  full  of  life  and  eager  to  learn. 
Thus  has  this  Society  become  more  emphatically  than  ever  before  —  an  educational  power 
in  tlie  community. 

Still  it  would  be  unjust  to  infer,  from  the  flicts  wdiich  have  been  considered,  that  the 
larger  portion  of  the  attention  of  this  Society  has  been  given  to  teaching  even  instructors. 
Accomplished  naturalists,  through  its  collections  and  its  library,  find  ample  material  to 
extend  their  investigations.  Many  come  here  to  test  their  theories,  or  more  fully  to 
establish  their  conclusions.  Besides  which,  many  of  the  members,  in  the  course  of  the 
year  (on  their  individual  account,  and  for  professional  purposes),  visit  distant  parts  of  the 
country,  or  take  even  a  wider  circuit.  They  may  be  found  along  the  whole  coast  of  New 
England,  searching  her  rocks  and  sands,  or  dredging  in  the  deep-sea,  or  exploring  the 
Gulf-stream,  or  among  the  Florida  reefs,  or  skirting  the  shores  of  the  Great  Lakes,  or 
passing  down  the  Valley  of  the  Mississippi,  or  climbing  the  Rocky  Mountains  and  the 
Sierra  Nevada,  or  descending  the  Western  slope,  or  threading  the  Pacific  Coast,  or  pen- 
etrating to  Alaska,  and  China,  and  Japan.  And  when  they  return,  they  come  to  tell  us  of 
their  experiences,  bringing  additions  to  our  collections,  and  recounting  in  addresses  and 
lectures  the  result  of  their  scientific  investigations.  Has  not  one  spoken  of  Iceland,  and 
another  of  Labrador  ?  One  of  Indian  relics  and  Westei'n  mounds  ?  One  of  Colorado 
W'ith  its  extensive  parks  and  prolific  mines  of  silver  and  gold  ?  One  of  the  Calaveras  and 
Mariposa  groves  with  their  colossal  trees,  the  famous  Sequoia  gigantea,  and  the  Yosemite 
Valley  with  its  unequalled  waterfiiUs  and  stupendous  granite  domes  ?  One  of  Alaska,  and 
another  of  China  and  Japan? 

It  is  certainly  not  claiming  too  mucli  when  we  say  that  at  the  regular  meetings  of  this 
Society  one  may  hear  as  interesting  and  instructive  accounts  as  can  be  found  recorded  in 
all  literature.  And  thus  to  members,  and  to  all  who  have  the  privilege  of  being  present, 
such  opportunities  are  exceedingly  attractive.  These  addresses  and  lectures  are  not  the 
less  entertaining  because  they  are  instructive.  The  stories  of  the  Arabian  Nights  are  not 
more  wonderful  than  are  often  these  narratives.  Travellers'  Stories  i\\^y  are,  but  none 
the  less  true  because  stranger  than  fiction.  Sindbad  the  sailor  saw  no  greater  treasures 
than  are  those  which  at  times  are  added  to  our  collections.     Some  of  these  are  as  of  yes- 


226  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 

terday,  while  others  take  the  mind  back  to  that  early  time  "-when  the  morning  stars  sang 
together  and  all  the  sons  of  God  shouted  for  joy !  " 

Mr.  President,  I  congratulate  you  on  this  interesting  annivei-sary,  and  I  am  sure  the 
members  will  unite  with  me  in  saying  that  the  time  of  your  official  connection  with  this 
Society  covers  one  of  the  l)riglitest  periods  of  its  history. 

At  the  close  of  the  address  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Waterston,  the  President,  ex^iressing  the 
great  satisfaction  felt  by  the  Society  at  such  a  large  attendance  on  the  part  of  its  friends, 
invited  all  present,  with  the  aid  of  the  "Introduction  to  a  General  Guide  to  the  Museum," 
which  had  been  distributed  among  them,  to  look  over  the  collections,  either  then  or  at  a 
more  convenient  time.  The  lateness  of  the  hour  prevented  more  than  a  very  cursory 
examination  of  them. 

In  the  evening  a  reception  was  given  by  the  President,  at  his  residence  in  Newbury 
Street,  to  the  memljers  of  the  Society  and  man}'  ladies  and  gentlemen  interested  in  its 
work.  Thus  the  day  was  appropriately  closed  in  the  enjoyment  of  social  intercourse,  and 
all  parted,  feeling  that  the  celel^ration  of  the  Semi-Centennial  Anniversary  of  the  founda- 
tion of  the  Society  had  been  thoroughly  successful. 


The  annual  meeting  of  the  Society  was  held  on  the  fifth  day  of  May,  Vice-President 
S.  H.  Scudder  being  in  the  Chair. 

After  the  reading  of  the  records  of  previous  meetings  the  report  of  the  Custodian,  of  the 
Secretary  and  of  the  Treasurer  were  presented.    From  these,  abstracts  will  l)e  here  given. 

The  Custodian  commenced  by  stating  that  in  some  respects  the  official  year  just  closed 
was  one  of  the  most  important  in  the  histoi-y  of  the  Society.  It  was  marked  not  alone 
by  being  the  termination  of  the  first  half  century  of  its  existence,  but  by  the  fact  that 
the  Museum  had  begun  at  last  the  career  for  which  preparation  had  been  making  during 
the  past  ten  years. 

Of  the  pulilications  he  remarked  that  they  were  very  creditable,  Init  that  it  should  not 
be  forgotten  that  paucity  of  resources  had  caused  the  frequent  refusal  of  important 
papers  ;  that  this  was  greatly  to  be  deplored,  since  properly  illustrated  publication  is  often 
the  only  reward  of  scientific  liibor,  and  the  prompt  issue  of  memoirs  is  essential'  to  the 
successful  attainment  of  the  chief  object  of  all  scientific  associations  that  seek  to  encour- 
age the  spirit  of  original  research. 

The  material  results,  as  exhibited  in  the  collections,  the  lihi-ary,  and  the  publications, 
were  very  valuable  as  credentials  of  a  prudent  and  economical  administration.  The  Soci- 
ety might  rest  well  satisfied  with  the  position  which  these  had  earned  for  it  in  the  estima- 
tion of  a  community  which  rightfvdly  demands  such  guarantees  of  the  proper  use  of  trust 
funds.  These,  however,  were  not  the  best  fruits  of  its  exertions.  These  seem  to  lie  in 
the  fact  that  the  community  is  beginning  dimly  to  comprehend  that  an  institution  of  this 
kind  creates  an  atmospliere  around  it  which  is  beneficial  to  them  and  to  their  children, 
and  also  that  it  works  directly  fi)r  their  intellectual  improvement. 

The  celebration  of  the  anniversary  of  the  formation  of  the  Society  was  dwelt  upon  at 
some  leno-th  bv  the  Custodian,  but  as  a  full  account  of  this  has  alreadvbeen  (^ven  it  is  not 
necessary  to  repeat  his  remarks.  Much  was  said  by  him  also  relative  to  the  resignation  of 
the  President  which  will  be  here  omitted. 


BOSTON   SOCIETY   OF  NATURAL   HISTORY.  227 

The  preparation  of  the  general  guide  to  the  Museum,  the  numbering  of  the  cases,  the 
lettering  of  the  rooms  and  galleries,  and  the  construction  of  two  new  floor  cases  were 
mentioned  as  liaving  been  completed  during  the  year.  Synoptical  collections  for  the 
departments  of  Mineralogy,  Geology  and  Palaeontology  had  also  been  made  and  were  or 
soon  would  be  on  exhibition. 

In  the  department  of  Geology  much  had  been  done  by  Mr.  Crosby,  assisted  by  Miss 
Carter.  About  2500  specimens  of  rocks  had  been  catalogued  and  nearly  2000  of  these 
mounted  and  labelled.  These  included  a  collection  of  specimens  illustrating  a  synopsis  of 
the  classiiication  of  rocks,  a  systematic  or  lithological  collection,  a  collection  illustrating 
structural  geology,  and  one  of  historical  geology. 

The  important  subject  of  dynamical  geology,  the  Custodian  stated,  must  remain  unrep- 
resented until  floor  cases  could  be  furnished.  The  lack  of  means  at  present  prevents  this 
from  being  done.  The  principal  accession  to  the  department  of  Geology  consisted  of  four 
hundred  specimens  contributed  by  Mr.  Crosby. 

The  Palaeontological  collection  had  been  increased  by  a  small  but  quite  valuable  series 
of  Crinoids  purchased  by  the  Laboratory  fund. 

The  labelling  and  cataloguing  of  the  Mollusca  had  been  completed  by  Mr.  Van  Vleck, 
assisted  by  Miss  Washburn.  To  this  department  a  very  valuable  addition  had  been  made 
by  the  purchase  of  the  Blaschka  models.  These  were  made  of  glass  and  represented  very 
closely  the  living  animal.  There  were  74  specimens  in  all,  representing  17  genera  and  44 
species  of  the  soft  bodied  Cephalopods  and  naked  Gasteropoda. 

The  Corals  and  the  Echinoderms  had  been  rearranged,  mounted  and  labelled  during  the 
year,  this  work  having  also  been  done  by  Mr.  Van  Vleck,  assisted  by  Miss  Washburn. 

In  the  department  of  Entomology,  Mr.  Henshaw  had  been  engaged  in  selecting  speci- 
mens for  the  formation  of  a  synoptical  collection  representing  the  anatomy  of  insects,  and 
considerable  progress  had  been  made  by  him  in  identifying  and  arranging  the  species  of 
the  general  systematic  collections. 

The  depai'tment  of  Comparative  Anatomy  had  been  entirely  rearranged  so  as  to  bring 
it  into  harmony  with  the  rest  of  the  collections  of  the  Museum.  In  the  wall  cases  of ' 
Room  G,  a  synoptical  collection  had  been  placed  illustrating  the  type  characteristics  and 
anatomical  peculiarities  of  the  different  classes  of  Vertebrates.  A  similar  collection  of 
Invertebrates  will  occupy  the  two  floor  cases  which  had  just  been  erected  in  the  same  room. 
The  osteological  portion  of  the  collection  in  the  main  hall  remained  nearly  as  before,  but 
the  special  homologies  of  the  limbs  and  systems  of  organs,  etc.,  among  Vertebrates  had 
been  placed  in  Room  F.  To  Dr.  W.  F.  Whitney,  the  Society  is  indebted  for  the  entire 
rearrangement  of  these  last,  and  for  much  assistance  in  other  portions  of  the  work. 

The  identification  and  labelling  of  the  New  England  collection  of  fishes  had  been  com- 
menced by  Mr.  Van  Vleck.  A  large  number  of  species  obtained  at  Annisquam  by  the 
efibrts  of  the  Custodian,  had  been  added  to  this  collection. 

Of  the  Amphibia,  75  species  had  been  identified,  arranged  and  catalogued.  Of  the  New 
England  species,  of  which  there  are  25  in  all,  23  were  reported  as  in  the  collection. 

In  referring  to  the  department  of  Ornithology,  the  Custodian  alluded  to  the  death  of 
the  distinguished  ornithologist,  Dr.  Thomas  M.  Brewer,  and  of  the  great  service  rendered 
by  him  to  the  Society  in  this  department,  whilst  in  charge  of  its  general  collection.     To 


228  ,  HISTORICAL   SKETCH   OF  THE 

his  exertions  also  the  Society  owes  its  fine  collection  of  eggs  and  nests,  and  also  the  New 
England  collection  of  birds.  This  last  he  would  have  undoubtedly  made  conij^lete  had  he 
lived  a  year  or  two  longer. 

Some  work  had  been  done  in  arranging  and  labelling  several  of  the  groups  of  birds,  by 
Mr.  Henshaw,  assisted  by  Miss  Washburn. 

The  terse  remarks  made  by  the  Custodian  upon  the  mammals  need  no  abbreviation  or 
variation.  They  are  therefore  given  verbatim  :  "The  less  said  about  the  mammals  the 
better.  They  are  a  disgrace  to  the  institution,  but  there  is  no  way  of  getting  a  respectable 
collection  except  by  buying  specimens,  and  this  is  impossible  for  us." 

In  the  department  of  Botany  the  Custodian  stated  that  considerable  progress  had  been 
made  towards  the  foi'mation  of  a  synoptical  collection  of  plants,  so  that  each  order  and 
some  of  the  sub-orders  shall  be  represented  by  one  species  which  will  be  mounted,  framed, 
and  appropriately  labelled.  Already  ninety  specimens,  representing  eighty-five  orders 
and  sub-orders  had  been  finished.  The  arrangements  of  the  general  collection  according 
to  Bentham  and  Hooker's  Genera  Plantarum  had  progressed  under  the  direction  of  Mr. 
Cummings,  and  much  had  been  done  towards  supjjlying  deficiencies  in  this  collection. 

It  had  been  the  habit  of  the  Custodian  during  the  vacation  period  of  the  summer 
months  to  pass  much  tune  in  dredging  and  fishing  ofl^  the  coast,  with  the  purpose  of  ob- 
taining for  the  Society  specimens  necessary  for  the  completion  of  the  New  England  collec- 
tions, and  in  this  work  he  had  been  aided  by  assistants  in  the  Museum  and  others.  Of  the 
labors  of  the  previous  season  he  thus  sjjeaks  :  "  The  summer  of  1879  was  spent  at  Annis- 
quam  by  the  Custodian  and  a  party  consisting  of  Mr.  Van  Vleck,  Mr.  E.  G.  Gardiner  and 
Mr.  E.  R.  Warren.  The  collecting  was  more  successful  than  during  the  previous  season, 
but  still  the  need  of  a  large  boat  and  greater  facilities  is  imperative."  To  sujDply  this  need, 
the  Custodian  intended  to  have  another  and  more  capacious  boat  ready  for  use  before  an- 
other summer. 

The  Laboratory.  In  this  department  there  had  been  much  accomplished  of  satisfying 
character.  Instruction  had  been  given  as  usual  to  classes  from  the  Boston  University  and 
the  Massachusetts  Institute  of  Technology.  Besides  these  another  class  of  twenty-six 
persons,  all  teachers  except  four,  had  entered  upon  a  course  which  is  to  last  for  two  win- 
ters, or  about  one  hundred  hours,  two  hours  being  devoted  to  it  every  Saturday  morning. 
A  small  class  of  advanced  students  have  been  taking  a  course  in  biology,  given  by  the 
assistant,  Mr.  Van  Vleck. 

Teachers  School  of  Science.  It  will  be  I'emembered  that  at  the  time  of  the  last  annual 
meeting  of  the  Society,  and  when  the  report  for  the  previous  year  was  presented,  the 
very  successful  course  of  lectures  to  the  teachers  then  in  progress  was  not  quite  com- 
pleted. Those  given  by  the  Custodian  were  soon  after  brought  to  a  satisfactory  close,  and 
a  series  of  five  on  mineralogy  followed,  delivered  by  Mr.  Burbank.  These  were  very 
instructive,  and  the  interest  in  them  was  shown  by  the  average  attendance  being  kept  up 
to  the  last.  A  geological  excursion  by  the  lecturer  and  a  jsart  of  the  teachers  was  made 
to  Marblehead  after  the  course  was  finished. 

The  report  of  the  Secretary,  Mr.  Burgess,  was  very  gratifying,  giving  as  it  did  statistics 
showing  nmch  activity  and  progress  in  the  several  departments  mentioned. 

Of  members,  twenty-six  Associate  had  been  elected  during  the  year,  but  no  Corporate, 


BOSTON  SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  229 

Corresponding  or  Honorary.  Five  Associate  or  Corporate  members  had  resigned,  and 
four  had  died.  The  whole  number  of  Associate  and  Corporate  members  was  stated  to  be 
451. 

There  had  been  an  average  attendance  of  thirty-nine  persons  at  the  sixteen  general 
meetings  of  the  Society.  The  largest  number  present  at  any  one  time  was  eighty-one, 
the  smallest  nineteen.  Eight  meetings  of  the  section  of  Entomology  had  been  held,  the 
average  attendance  at  which  had  been  eight  persons.  The  meetings  of  the  botanical 
section  had  been  given  up  in  consequence  of  the  non-attendance  of  a  sufficient  number  of 
members  to  render  them  interesting. 

In  December  of  the  past  year,  by  consent  of  the  Society,  the  section  of  Microscopy  was 
revived,  and  monthly  meetings  had  since  been  held,  though  without  a  veiy  promising 
attendance. 

Of  the  library,  the  Secretary  stated  that  the  additions  to  it  during  the  year  exceeded 
those  of  any  other  in  the  Society's  history.     These  were  summarized  thus : 

Svo.                       410.                       Fo.  Tolah. 

Volumes 348                      69                        2  419 

Parts  of  Volumes 947                    156                    170  1273 

Pamphlets 335                      52                        2  389 

Maps  aud  Charts       .         .         .         .         • 99 


In  all  2180 

Besides  the  constant  use  made  of  the  books  by  members  and  others  at  the  Library, 
there  had  been  borrowed  1110  volumes  during  the  year,  by  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
three  persons. 

Of  the  publications  two  parts  of  the  twentieth  volume  of  the  Proceedings,  and  a  third 
article  for  the  third  volume  of  the  Memoirs  had  been  issued,  the  last  being  a  revision  of 
the  Palaeozoic  Cockroaches  of  the  world,  by  Mr.  Samuel  H.  Scudder,  11.3  pages,  5  plates. 
Of  "  Occasional  Papers  "  a  volume  had  been  published,  being  the  third  of  the  series,  con- 
taining Mr.  W.  0.  Crosby's  contributions  to  the  Geology  of  Eastern  Massachusetts,  266 
pages,  with  5  plates  and  a  colored  map. 

In  addition  to  these.  No.  6  of  the  series  of  Guides  for  Science  Teaching,  by  Professor 
Hyatt,  had  been  printed,  also  a  pamphlet  introductory  to  the  general  guide  to  the  Mu- 
seum, also  by  Professor  Hyatt.  Copies  of  this  last  publication  were  presented  to  the 
audience  at  the  celebration  of  the  semi-centennial  anniversary  of  the  Society. 

The  Committee  on  Publications  having  suggested  that  a  special  volume  should  be  pub- 
lished commemorative  of  the  fiftieth  anniversary  of  the  Society,  the  Council  voted  that 
this  should  be  done  provided  a  sufficient  number  of  subscribers  could  be  obtained  for  such 
volume  at  the  rate  of  ten  dollars  a  copy,  to  justify  the  necessary  expenditure.  To  ensure 
the  success  of  this  project  the  Rev.  Robert  C.  Waterston,  with  characteristic  generosity, 
had  already  given  one  hundred  dollars.  It  was  understood  that  the  volume  should  contain 
a  history  of  the  Society,  and  a  series  of  scientific  papers,  and  be  entitled  "  Anniversary 
Memoirs  of  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History." 

Walker  Prizes.     Relative   to  the  Walker  Prizes,  the  Secretary  stated  that  no  essay  had 
been  presented  on  the  subject  proposed  for  1880,  viz. : 

"  The  evidences  of  the  extension  of  the  Tertiary  deposits  seaward  along  the  coast  of 
Massachusetts." 


230 


HISTORICAL   SKETCH   OF  THE 


Mention  was  made  of  the  award  of  the  Grand  "Walker  prize  during  the  year  to  Dr. 
Leidj,  but  as  this  has  been  particuhxrly  related  on  a  former  page,  no  further  statement  is 
required  here. 

The  Treasurer's  report  showed  that  there  had  Ijeen  an  excess  of  expenditures  over  the 
receipts  of  |698.95.  As,  however,  the  payments  included  the  $1000  awarded  for  the 
Grand  Walker  prize,  and  as  such  prize  is  only  payable  once  in  five  years,  the  spirit  of  the 
determination  that  expenditures  should  be  kept  witliin  the  limits  of  receipts  was  not  vio- 
lated. 

At  the  election,  the  officers  chosen  were  as  follows.  The  full  list  is  here  presented  that 
it  may  be  seen  in  whose  hands  the  destiny  of  the  Society  was  entrusted  at  the  close  of 
the  first  half  century  of  its  existence,  and  at  the  commencement  of  a  new  era. 

PRESIDENT, 

Samuel  H.  Scudder. 

nCE-PRESWENTS. 

John  Cummtngs,  F.  W.  Putnam. 

CnSTODIAlf, 

Alpheus  Hyatt. 

honoraut  secretary, 
S.  L.  Abbot. 

SECRETAJtr, 

Edwaed  Burgess. 

treasurer, 

Charles  W.  Scudder. 

librarian, 

Edward  Burgess. 


Committees  on  Departments  of  the  Museum. 


IIINERAZS. 

Thomas  T.  Bouve, 
R.  II.  Richards, 
M.  E.  Wadsworth. 

OEOLOGY. 
Wn.UAM    H.    NiLES, 

G.  Frederic  Wright, 
L.  S.  Burbank. 

PALAEONTOLOOr. 

Thomas  T.  Bouve, 
N.  S.  Shaler. 

BOTANY. 
JOHX    CUMMINGS, 

Charles  J.  Sprague, 
J.  Amory  Lowell. 

MICROSCOPY. 

Samuel  Wells, 
R.  C.  Greenlfaf,- 
B.  Joy  Jeffries. 

comparative  anatomy. 
Thomas  Dwight, 
W.  F.  Whitney. 


RADIATES,  CRUSTACEANS  AND  WORMS. 

H.  A.  Hagen, 
Alexander  Agassiz, 
l.  f.  pourtales. 

moll  uses. 
Edward  S.  Morse, 
J.  Henry  Blake. 

INSECT.^. 

Samuel  H.  Scudder, 
Edward  Burgess, 
A.  S.  Packard,  Jr. 

FISHES  AND  REPTILES. 

F.  W.  Putnam, 
Theodore  Lyman, 
S.  W.  Garman. 

BIRDS. 

J.  A.  Allen, 
Samuel  Cabot. 

MAMMALS. 

J.  A.  Allen, 
E.  L.  Mark, 
Groege  L.  Goodale. 


BOSTON  SOCIETY   OF   NATURAL  HISTORY.  231 

On  the  announcement  of  the  ballot  the  President  elect  said,  "  that  in  occupying  the 
position  to  which  he  had  been  called,  he  could  only  express  the  wish  that  the  choice  had 
fallen  elsewhere,  for  he  felt  he  owed  the  Society  any  service  he  might  be  able  to  render. 
Any  one  as  long  acquainted  with  its  government  as  he  had  been,  must  be  alive  to  the 
responsibilities  of  its  highest  office,  but  knowing  the  hearty  support  which  would  be  given 
to  one  aiming  to  carry  out  the  objects  of  our  Society  with  singleness  of  purpose,  he  could 
not  foster  such  misgivings  as  naturally  arose  in  undertaking  them." 

Mr.  Scudder  then  sketched  briefly  the  Society's  work,  more  particularly  dwelling  upon 
its  chief  aim,  popular  instruction.  The  highly  complimentary  remarks  towards  the  writer 
and  compiler  of  this  history  which  followed,  not  only  made  by  Mr.  Scudder  but  by  many 
others,  and  the  action  taken  ])y  the  Society,  were  of  too  personal  a  character  to  admit  of 
his  presenting  them  here.  Nothing  certainly  could  have  been  more  grateful  to  his  feel- 
ings than  such  a  manifestation  at  the  close  of  his  long  official  life  as  President  of  the 
Society. 

The  Standing  Committees  elected  by  the  Council  for  the  official  year  1880-81  were  as 
follows  :  Library,  Edward  Burgess,  W.  H.  Niles,  W.  F.  Whitney.  FubUcations,  S.  H.  Scud- 
der, S.  L.  Abbot,  Edward  Burgess,  Alpheus  Hyatt,  J.  A.  Allen.  Museimi,  Alpheus  Hyatt, 
S.  H.  Scudder,  Thomas  T.  Bouve.  John  Cummings,  Edward  Burgess ;  Walker  prizes, 
William  B.  Rogers,  Alexander  Agassiz,  F.  W.  Putnam.  Ilemhershlp,  S.  H.  Scudder,  M.  E. 
Wadsworth,  B.  Joy  Jeffries,  Edward  Burgess,  George  L.  Goodale.  Lectures  and  meetings, 
S.  H.  Scudder,  M.  E.  Wadsworth,  Edward  Burgess,  F.  W.  Putnam,  W.  H.  Niles.  Bird  cer- 
tificates, Edward  Burgess,  J.  A.  Allen.  Trustees,  Thomas  T.  Bouve,  John  Cummings,  C. 
W.  Scudder. 

The  fifth  decade  had  now  passed.  If  it  could  be  said  of  the  fourth  that  it  was  a  period 
of  great  events  in  the  history  of  the  Society,  the  same  could  be  said  of. the  fifth,  thouoh 
those  of  the  latter  were  of  a  less  striking  character.  During  the  fourth,  large  donations 
and  bequests  were  made,  enaljling  the  Society  to  erect  its  magnificent  museum  and  to 
take  a  position  among  the  leading  institutions  of  the  kind  in  the  world,  publishing  freely 
its  Memoirs  and  Proceedings,  and  making  exchanges  with  kindred  societies,  thus  acquirino- 
for  itself  respect  at  home  and  abroad.  During  the  fifth,  scarcely  a  donation  or  Ijequest 
of  any  amount  was  received,  though  the  lack  of  means  was  felt  in  every  department. 
This  prevented  such  expansion  of  the  work  of  the  Society  as  was  deemed  desirable,  and 
made  it  dependent  on  the  individual  contributions  of  its  members,  mainly  upon  one  of 
them,  to  accomplish  much  that  it  was  able  to  do.  What  particularly  chai-acterized  the 
last  decade  was  the  great  change  effected  in  its  plans  and  purposes,  but  more  in  its  modes 
of  action  and  in  the  arrangement  of  its  collections;  not  through  revolution  but  by  evolu- 
tion, the  result  of  advanced  views  in  relation  to  museums  and  teachintr,  crowinti-  out  of 
the  experience  of  the  Society  itself  and  of  kindred  institutions  at  home  and  abroad.  No 
longer  would  it  suffice  tiiat  great  collections  should  be  made  in  the  different  departments 
of  natural  history,  however  well  arranged  and  labelled  the  specimens  might  be  in  each; 
it  was  necessary  that  all  shoiald  be  subordinated  to  a  conqn-'ehensive  plan,  so  that  they 
should  bear  a  proper  relation  to  each  other,  and,  moreover,  include  synoptical  series  wliich 
should  furnish  to  those  seeking  knowledge  a  key  to  the  proper  understanding  of  the 
whole.     A  further  development  of  thought  upon  the  Museum   led   to  the  formation  of  a 


232  HISTORICAL  SKETCH   OF  THE 

separate  local  New  England  collection  in  each  department.  Now  to  accomplish  this,  and 
to  provide  for  the  sal'ety  of  the  fost  increasing  collections,  it  was  ahsohitely  necessary  not 
only  to  prepare  rooms  unfinished  at  the  conunencement  of  the  decade,  but  to  reconstruct 
all  the  cases  first  erected  in  the  building  because  of  their  defective  character,  as  has  been 
mentioned  on  an  earlier  page.  This  change  alone,  witli  tlie  necessary  relabelling  and 
other  work  upon  the  specimens,  was  the  laljor  of  years,  but  one  of  vast  importance  to  the 
future  influence  of  the  Museum  as  an  educational  instrumentality.  This  great  work  could 
not  have  been  done  in  the  thorough  manner  it  was.  had  not  the  more  important  change 
been  first  made  of  placing  at  the  head  of  the  Museum  a  scientific  man  whose  single  duty 
it  was  to  act  as  a  Custodian,  and  to  furnish  him  with  paid  assistants  to  work  upon  the 
collections.  Fortunately  for  the  Society,  Mr.  Alpheus  Hyatt,  a  man  of  large  natural 
endowments  and  of  broad  comprehensive  views,  was  elected  to  this  office.  To  him  was 
due  the  conception  of  the  plan  finally  carried  out  for  the  arrangement  of  the  whole  Mu- 
seum. It  was  the  good  fortune  of  the  writer  to  be  associated  with  him  in  this  work  and 
to  give  the  influence  of  liis  official  position  as  President  of  the  Society  in  having  it  fully 
and  faithfully  done 

The  financial  resources  of  the  Society  were  somewhat  impaired  during  the  decade  by 
the  fitting  up  of  the  rooms  alluded  to  and  the  reconstruction  of  the  cases.  It  also  suf- 
fered by  the  great  fire  of  I87-J,  having  held  a  considerable  amount  of  stock  in  insurance 
companies  which  became  worthless,  and  by  being  called  upon  to  pay  assessments  to  mutual 
companies  in  which  its  property  was  insured.  If  thus  for  reasons  not  arising  from  any 
fault  or  liad  management  the  income  of  the  Society  was  lessened,  the  Council  may  well 
point  with  satisfaction  to  the  fact,  that  the  ordinary  expenses  were  not  allowed  to  exceed 
the  income.  To  prevent  this  from  being  the  case,  however,  much  was  left  undone  that 
ought  to  have  been  done,  and  it  was  only  by  the  pecuniary  aid  of  neighbors  and  friends 
that  the  Society  was  recently  able  to  enclose  the  grounds  about  its  Museum  with  a  suitable 
curbing  of  stone,  and  properly  grade  them. 

The  Society  lost  by  death  during  these  ten  years,  many  of  its  most  highly  valued  and 
honored  members,  Louis  Agassiz,  Dr.  JeflTries  W^mian,  Dr.  Charles  Pickering,  Edward 
Pickering,  Dr.  John  B.  S.  Jackson  and  Dr.  Thomas  M.  Brewer,  all  of  whom  were  conspic- 
uous in  its  annals.  It  lost,  too,  by  removal,  some  who  in  the  early  part  of  the  decade 
were  prominent  in  its  proceedings,  one  of  whom  was  Dr.  Sterry  Hunt,  the  eminent  geolo- 
gist, and  another.  Dr.  Samuel  Kneeland,  who  for  many  years  was  a  very  efficient  officer 
and  member,  and  often  contributed  specimens  of  considerable  value  to  the  collections.  It 
may  truly  be  said  of  the  latter  that  during  his  long  connection  with  the  Society  he  sel- 
dom, if  ever,  left  home  without  bringing  back  with  him  something  for  presentation.  He 
was  almost  a  constant  attendant  too  upon  the  meetings,  and  frequently  took  an  active  part 
in  them. 

The  memliers  of  the  Society  who  took  the  most  prominent  part  in  the  proceedings  at 
tlie  general  meetings  and  at  those  of  the  sections  during  the  first  five  years  of  the  decade 
were  S.  H.  Scmdder,  Dr.  Thomas  M.  Brewer,  Alpheus  Hyatt,  Dr.  H.  A.  Hagen,  F.  W.  Put- 
nam, N.  S.  Slialer,  Dr.  T.  Sterry  Hunt,  Thomas  T.  Bouve,  Dr.  Samuel  Kneeland,  Dr. 
Charles  T.  Jackson,  W.  H.  Niles,*E.  S.  Morse,  Dr.  Charles  Pickering,  Edwin  Bicknell,  F. 
G.  Sanborn,  Charles  Stodder,  Dr.  Thomas  Dwight,  Jr.,  Dr.  W.  G.  Farlow,  Edward  Burgess, 
R.  C.  Greenleaf,  Prof  C.  H.  Hitchcock,  Dr.  C.  S.  Minot,  B.  P.  Mann,  Rev.  J.  B.  Perry,  L. 


BOSTON  SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  233 

S.  Burb.ank  and  J.  A.  Allen.  Tliose  who  took  the  most  prominent  part  dnring  the  last 
five  years  were  S.  H.  Scudder,  Alpheus  Hyatt,  F.  W.  Putnam,  M.  E.  Wadsworth,  Edward 
Burgess,  W.  H.  Niles,  W.  0.  Crosby,  E.  P.  Austin,  Dr.  H.  A.  Hagen,  Dr.  Tlioraas  M. 
Brewer,  Dr.  W.  G.  Farlow,  Dr.  C.  S.  Minot,  Thomas  T.  Bouve,  Dr.  T.  Sterry  Hunt,  L.  S. 
Burbank,  Dr.  Samviel  Kneeland,  Dr.  B.  Joy  Jeffries,  Rev.  George  F.  Wright,  and  Dr. 
G.  L.  Goodale. 

The  average  attendance  each  year  during  the  decade  at  the  general  meetings  was  as 
follows : 

1870-71  18  meetings,  an  attendance  of  40  1875-76  18  meetings,  an  attendance  of  33 

71-72  18        «                       «  32  76-77  19        "                       "  33 

72-73  18        «                       «  26  77-78  16        "                       "  35 

73-74  16        "                       «  54  78-79  16        "                       "  31 

74-75  18         "                        "  57  79-80  16        "                        "  40 

The  average  of  all  these  is  somewhat  larger  than  during  any  previous  ten  years,  being 
thirty-eight.  That  of  the  previous  ten  years  was  thirty-six.  The  great  increase  of  attend- 
ance in  the  years  1873-74  and  1874-75  was  due  largely  perhaps  to  the  change  made  in 
giving  notices  of  the  meetings,  the  custom  being  first  adopted  in  the  fall  of  1873  to  desig- 
nate the  subjects  that  were  to  be  bi'ought  before  them. 

The  attendance  at  the  meetings  of  the  sections  was  as  follows : 
Of  Entomology, 
1870-71  5  meetings,  average  attendance,  10  1875-76  4  meetings,  average  attendance,  8 

71-72  7        "  "  "11  76-77  1        «  "8 

72-73  7        "  «  "  9  77-78  6        "  "  "  9 

73-74  6        "  "  «         12  78-79  9        "  "  "         10 

74-75  5        "  "  «  8  79-80  7        "  "  "  8 

Of  Microscopy, 

1870-71  5  meetings,  average  attendance,  11  1873-74  I  meeting,  attendance,  12 

71-72  5        «  "  "  12  74-75  2  meetings,  average  .         "  9 

72-73  1  meeting,  attendance,  12 

The  little  interest  manifested  in  this  section  led  to  its  dissolution  in  1875.  Its  revival 
was  authorized  by  the  Council  in  1879,  and  one  meeting  followed  with  an  attendance  of 
nine  persons  ;  it  was  the  only  one. 

Of  Botany,  section  formed  in  1876, 

1876-77  8  meetings,  average  attendance,  27  1878-79  6  meetings,  average  attendance,    7 

77-78  2        "  "  "         18 

Interest  in  this  section  was  shown  as  long  as  able  botanists  appeared  to  address  the 
members.     As  soon  as  this  ceased  to  be  the  case  the  attendance  fell  off". 

The  large  and  important  part  of  the  work  of  the  Society  done  through  the  Committees 
of  the  Council  makes  it  proper  to  give  the  names  of  all  such  members  as  have  served 
upon  these  during  the  decade.     They  are  as  follows : 

On  the  Library.  C.  K.  Dillaway,  J.  E.  Cabot,  Dr.  T.  M.  Brewer,  William  T.  Brigham, 
Dr.  A.  S.  Packard,  Jr.,  Edward  Burgess,  William  H.  Niles,  Samuel  H.  Scudder,  Alpheus 
Hyatt,  N.  S.  Slialer,  J.  A.  Allen  and  S.  W.  Garman. 

On  Walker  Frizes.  Dr.  Jeffries  Wyman,  C.  J.  Spi-ague,  Thomas  T.  Bouve,  Dr.  Asa 
Gray,  Alexander  Agassiz  and  William  B.  Rogers. 


234  HISTORICAL   SKETCH   OF. THE 

On  Lectures.  Thomas  T.  Bouve,  Rev.  Joshua  A.  Swan,  John  Cummings,  John  D. 
Runkle,  Alpheus  Hyatt,  Edward  Burgess,  Dr.  James  C.  White,  F.  W.  Putnam,  Dr.  B.  Joy 
Jeffries,  M.  E.  Wadsworth  and  William  II.  Niles. 

On  Publications.  Thomas  T.  Bouve,  Dr.  Samuel  L.  Abbot,  Dr.  Thomas  Dwight,  Dr. 
Thomas  M.  Brewer,  Dr.  A.  S.  Packard,  Jr.,  Rev.  Joshua  A.  Swan,  Edward  Burgess,  Samuel 
H.  Scudder,  J.  A.  Allen,  Alpheus  Hyatt  and  John  D.  Runkle. 

On  the  Finance  Committee  and  as  Trustees.  Charles  J.  Sprague,  Thomas  T.  Bouve, 
Edward  Pickering,  John  Cummings  and  Charles  W.  Scudder. 

On  Meetinrjs.  J.  A.  Allen,  Dr.  A.  S.  Packard,  Jr.,  Dr.  J.  B.  S.  Jackson,  Dr.  H.  A. 
Hagen,  Edward  Burgess,  Dr.  James  C.  White,  N.  S.  Shaler,  L.  S.  Burbank. 

On  Nominations  for  Membership.  Dr.  S.  L.  Abbot,  F.  W.  Putnam,  Samuel  H.  Scudder, 
Dr.  B.  Joy  Jeffries,  Edward  Burgess,  Dr.  Thomas  Dwight,  Samuel  Wells,  Alpheus  Hyatt, 
Thomas  T.  Boiive. 

On  the  Museum.  Alpheus  Hyatt,  Thomas  T.  Bouve,  John  Cummings,  Samuel  H.  Scud- 
der, Edward  Burgess  and  F.  W.  Putnam. 

The  publications  of  the  Society  daring  the  decade  were,  the  second  volume  of  its 
Memoirs  in  quarto,  -560  pages,  containing  twenty  important  papers  read  or  presented  at 
its  meetings,  and  three  numbers  of  the  third  volume  ;  a  part  of  the  13th  volume  of  the 
Proceedings  of  the  Society,  not  issued  at  the  time  of  the  annual  meeting  in  1870,  with 
six  full  volumes  from  the  14th  to  the  19th  inclusive,  and  three  parts  of  the  20tli  volume; 
two  volumes  of  its  Occasional  Papers,  one,  The  Spiders  of  the  United  States,  a  collection 
of  the  Arachnological  writings  of  Nicholas  Marcellus  Hentz,  M.D.;  the  other,  Contribu- 
tions to  the  Geology  of  Eastern  Massachusetts,  by  W.  0.  Crosby ;  six  numbers  of  a  series 
of  Guides  for  Science  Teaching  ;  also  a  pamphlet  introductory  to  a  general  guide  to  the 
Museum  to  be  hereafter  published. 

The  library  had  increased  largely  since  1870,  when  the  whole  number  of  its  volumes 
was  g'ven  as  9396,  and  of  pamphlets  as  2677.  The  number  of  volumes  at  close  of  the 
decade,  counting  them  as  bound,  whether  containing  more  than  one,  as  was  often  the  case, 
or  not,  and  estimating  the  unbound  parts  in  proper  proportion,  was  over  14,000,  and  that 
of  the  pamphlets  including  ma^js  and  charts,  was  but  slightly  short  of  6000. 

Before  proceeding  to  express  such  general  views  upon  the  Society,  as  press  them- 
selves upon  the  mind  after  sketching  its  history,  and  in  view  of  its  present  condition,  it 
will  not  be  amiss  to  refer  to  the  original  members  yet  living,  after  the  lapse  of  half  a 
century  since  they  took  part  in  its  formation.  Of  these  there  are  four,  Theophilus  Par- 
sons, Dr.  Edward  Reynolds,  Dr.  D.  Humphreys  Storer  and  Mr.  George  B.  Emerson,  all 
men  who  have  distinguished  themselves  in  their  several  walks  of  life,  and  whose  associ- 
ation would  have  conferred  honor  upon  any  Society.  Two  of  these.  Dr.  Storer  and 
Mr.  Emerson,  were  active  members  during  many  years,  and  both  of  them  held  high 
offices  in  it.  Of  the  former  and  of  his  services  to  the  Society,  a  full  notice  has  been  given 
in  these  pages.     It  is  a  pleasant  duty  to  present  here  some  account  of  the  latter. 


BOSTON   SOCIETY   OF  NATURAL   HISTORY.  235 

George  B.  Emeeson. 

George  B.  Emerson  was  born  at  Wells,  Maine,  then  a  part  of  Massachusetts,  September 
12th,  1797.  His  father  was  Dr.  Emerson,  a  well  known  physician,  and  a  man  of  culti- 
vation and  taste.  He  graduated  at  Harvard  in  1784,  and  was  an  excellent  Latin  scholar, 
besides  being  well  read  in  history  and  English  literature.  His  house  was  a  favorite 
resort  for  the  judges  and  lawyers  who  attended  the  sessions  of  the  Supreme  Court  of 
Massachusetts,  held  semi-annually  at  York  and  at  Portland,  and  young  Emerson  thus 
early  became  acquainted  with  such  men  as  Judge  Jackson  and  the  reporter,  Dudley 
Atkins  Tyng,  gentlemen  distinguished  for  their  ability,  as  well  as  the  refinement  of  their 
manners. 

Dr.  Emerson  was  chairman  of  the  School  Committee,  and  always  was  particular  to  see 
that  the  master  was  a  well  educated  man,  and  a  proper  person  to  have  the  charge  of 
children.  His  sons  were  sent  to  school  during  the  winter  season,  but  kept  at  home 
during  the  summer,  where  the  practical  education  that  they  received  on  their  father's 
farm,  both  in  the  knowledge  which  it  imparted  of  common  ways  of  country  life,  and 
familiarity  with  conunon  things,  and  in  the  information  which  they  derived  from  acquaint- 
ance with  the  vegetable  and  animal  lil'e  around  them  in  the  fields,  woods,  rivers  and  sea, 
is  spoken  of  by  the  subject  of  this  notice  as  being  of  the  most  valuable  character.  The 
father  evidently  evinced' great  good  judgment  in  his  management  of  the  education  of  liis 
boys. 

Young  Emerson  early  familiarized  himself  with  the  trees,  shrubs  and  plants  of  the 
neighborhood,  reading  eagerly  all  books  on  botan}'  which  came  in  his  way,  and  learning 
what  he  could  from  his  father  relating  to  that  science.  He  also  was  an  interested  reader 
of  books  of  travel  and  poetry,  and  at  the  proper  time  was  led  to  the  study  of  Latin  and 
Greek,  becoming  familiar  in  certain  ways  with  the  classics  before  entering  Dummer  Acad- 
emy at  Byfield,  where  he  went  to  prepare  for  Harvard.  He  entered  college  in  1813, 
being  in  the  class  with  Caleb  Gushing,  George  Bancroft,  S.  J.  May,  Samuel  E.  Sewall,  and 
other  since  well-known  men.  His  experience  in  college  was  a  pleasant  and  profitable  one, 
varied  as  it  so  often  was  in  the  case  of  boys  from  the  remote  country  districts,  by  occa- 
sional teaching  of  country  schools  during  the  long  vacations.  While  at  Harvard  he  very 
nearly  lost  his  life  by  the  experiment  tried  both  by  himself  and  his  chum,  of  cutting 
down  the  term  of  sleep  from  the  normal  quantity  to  four  hours  a  day  ;  devoting  the  time 
stolen  from  needed  rest  to  over-study.  A  severe  illness  and  long  consequent  sojourn  at 
home  were  the  price  of  this  ill-considered  action. 

He  graduated  in  1817,  and  after  recovering  from  another  severe  illness,  the  result  of 
overwork,  accepted  a  position  offered  him  of  master  of  an  excellent  private  school,  at 
Lancaster,  Mass.  Hei'e  continuous  trouble  with  his  eyes,  brought  on  by  inattention  to 
general  health  and  too  much  study  previously,  was  a  great  annoyance  to  him  ;  still  his 
school  was  a  great  success,  his  ability  as  a  teacher  being  fully  exemplified.  He  continued 
at  Lancaster  for  two  years,  and  then  accepted  an  invitation  from  President  Kirkland  to 
become  a  tutor  in  the  mathematical  department  at  Harvard.  Here  he  was  again  thrown 
on  terms  of  intimacy  with  some  of  his  early  college  friends,  Caleb  Gushing,  Edward  Everett 
and  others,  besides  meeting  most  agreeably  George  Ticknor,  then  a  lecturer  on  French  lit- 


236  HISTORICAL   SKETCH   OF  THE 

erature,  Professor  Farrar,  Dr.  Bowditch,  the  great  mathematician,  Rev.  Mr.  Norton  and 
other  prominent  men  of  the  time. 

A  trip  to  the  White  Mountains  ahout  this  period,  with  a  party  of  his  college  friends,  is 
most  delightfully  described  in  his  little  volume  of  "  Reminiscences." 

In  1820  was  established  in  Boston  the  English  Classical  School,  and  Mr.  Emerson  was 
chosen  its  fii-st  principal.  After  a  remarkabl_v  successful  experience  as  teacher  in  this  insti- 
tution, he  in  182.3  organized  his  celebrated  school  for  young  ladies,  which  was  for  many 
years  regarded  as  unequalled  in  the  educational  advantages  to  be  enjoyed  by  all  who  were 
in  it  as  pupils. 

In  the  formation  of  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History,  Mr.  Emerson  took  an  active 
part,  and  in  1837  he  was  chosen  President.  At  that  time  the  scientific  survey  of  the 
State  was  determined  by  the  members  to  be  of  the  utmost  desirability,  and  Mr.  Emerson 
was  deputed  to  memorialize  the  State  government  upon  the  subject.  This  he  did,  laying 
his  memorial  before  Governor  Everett,  by  whom  it  was  most  cordially  and  graciously 
received.  In  due  time  the  Governor  informed  Mr.  Emerson  that  the  legislature,  both 
houses  of  Avhich  justly  appreciated  his  memorial,  had  authorized  the  executive  to  appoint 
six  proper  persons  to  conduct  the  survey  of  tlie  State,  and  had  passed  an  appropriation  to 
cover  the  expenses  thereof;  and  he  reqviested  that  Mr.  Emerson  should  suggest  the  names 
of  such  scientific  men  as  he  thought  competent  for  the  work.  The  result  was  that  the 
gentlemen  appointed  Avere  almost  entirely  those  named  by  him.  The  Governor  desired 
that  he  should  hold  hhnself  responsible  for  all  the  reports  presented  ;  but  his  friends  in 
the  Society,  knowing  his' ability,  were  not  satisfied  except  by  his  taking  a  more  active  part 
in  the  survey ;  and  he  eventually  divided  the  botany  with  Dr.  Dewey,  the  doctor  taking 
all  other  plants  and  Mr.  Emerson  the  trees  and  shriibs.  The  report  which  he  subsequently 
made  to  the  legislature  was  not  only  admirable  in  its  scientific  features,  but  was  most 
charming  from  a  literary  point  of  view.  It  takes  one  out  with  the  wi'iter  into  the  fields 
and  woods,  and  makes  the  reader  at  once  the  interested  student  and  the  pei'sonal  friend,  so 
to  speak,  of  the  tree  or  shrub  which  the  writer  may  be  describing  at  the  time.  This 
report  was  made  up  from  tlie  observations  and  study  of  nine  successive  years,  nearly  three 
months  of  each  of  which  he  gave  to  the  work,  visiting  all  parts  of  the  State  in  its  prose- 
cution. 

Mr.  Emerson  published,  in  1875,  a  new  edition  of  his  Report  on  the  Trees  and  Shrubs, 
superbly  illustrated  by  colored  plates,  a  full  set  of  Avhich,  suitably  framed,  he  presented  to 
the  Society  to  be  placed  in  the  collection  of  New  England  Trees  and  Shrubs,  and  which 
may  now  be  seen  in  the  botanical  gallery  devoted  to  that  section. 

The  well-known  "  Memorial  of  the  American  Institute  of  Instruction  to  the  Massachu. 
setts  Legislature,"  was  prepared  and  j^hiced  in  the  hands  of  the  Governor  by  the  Presi. 
dent,  Mr.  Emerson ;  and  the  result  of  this  course  was  the  formation  of  the  Board  of  Edu- 
cation with  Horace  Mann,  then  President  of  the  Senate,  as  its  secretary.  The  cause  of 
education  took  a  new  dejjarture  from  this  time  forth,  and  the  good  efiect  of  this  action,  in 
which  Mr.  Emerson  was  prominent,  was  inestimable. 

Mr.  Emerson's  zeal  in  the  cause  of  good  education  sprang  very  largely  from  the  aflfec- 
tion  for  the  young,  which  has  idways  during  his  lifetime  kept  pace  with  his  great  love  of 
nature.     The  influence  which  he  exerted  among  liis  pupils  through  this  feeling  of  personal 


BOSTON   SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  237 

interest  has  been  very  warmly  spoken  of  by  many  of  them.  His  religious  tendencies 
were  very  decided.  He  had  wished  in  his  boyhood  to  go  to  West  Point,  but  his  mother's 
earnest  desire  to  the  contrary  had  dissuaded  him  from  tliis  course,  and  his  subsequent 
tastes  led  him  to  study  with  the  intention  of  entering  the  ministry,  for  which  profession 
he  would  seem  to  have  been  particularly  fitted  by  nature.  The  3'oung  ladies  of  his  school 
always  looked  to  him  as  a  friend  and  adviser,  and  have  many  of  them  alluded  feelingly 
to  the  few  earnest  words  spoken  by  him  in  the  morning  service  as  of  more  value  to 
them  than  all  the  ordinary  instruction  in  the  school. 

Mr.  Emerson's  interest  in  the  Society  has  always  been  very  strong ;  manifested  to  a 
greater  or  less  degree  by  his  presence  at  meetings  and  by  occasional  participation  in  the 
proceedings.  His  last  prominent  appearance  before  the  Society  was  in  1874,  when  he  de- 
livered the  memorial  address  uf)on  Louis  Agassiz. 

The  history  of  the  Society  has  now  been  traced  from  its  formation  to  its  present  proud 
position  as  one  of  the  leading  scientific  institutions  of  the  world.  We  have  dwelt  upon 
the  reasons  that  endangered  its  continued  success  in  the  early  period  of  its  existence,  and 
have  witnessed  the  untiring  devotion  of  its  members,  some  of  whom  gave  voluntarily, 
years  of  life  to  its  service.  We  have  seen  too  that  only  by  the  large  donations  and 
bequests  of  its  great  benefactors  did  it  escape  the  late  of  the  Linnaean  Society  which  pre- 
ceded it,  and  of  many  other  similar  societies  not  sustained  by  government  aid,  and  de- 
pending on  the  unpaid  labor  and  contributions  of  their  members.  That  these  gifts  were 
mainly  due  to  a  recognition  of  the  disinterested  devotion  of  the  members  of  the  Society  to 
the  work  undertaken  by  them,  and  of  the  importance  of  that  work  as  an  educational  and 
elevating  influence  in  the  community,  is  unquestionably  true,  markedly  in  the  case  of  the 
largest  benefactor  of  all.  Dr.  William  J.  Walker,  who,  through  Dr.  Jeffries  Wyman,  for 
whom  he  had  great  regard,  and  othei's,  made  himself  well  acquainted  with  the  leading 
members  of  the  Society,  and  with  their  designs  and  purposes  in  the  matter  of  educating 
the  community    in    natural   history,    before    making  it   the  recipient   of  liis    bounty. 

It  becomes  the  members  of  the  Society,  especially  such  as  have  been  instrumental  in 
shaping  its  destiny,  to  ask  whether  it  has  met  the  reasonable  expectations  of  its  founders. 
Have  their  hopes  for  its  growth  and  its  influence  been  fulfilled  ?  As  an  associate  with  the 
original  members,  and  as  having  been  acquainted  to  a  considerable  degree  with  tlieir 
thoughts  and  feelings,  the  writer  unhesitatingly  answers  Yes !  far  beyond  their  most  san- 
guine hopes  and  expectations.  Not  that  they  limited  in  their  own  minds  the  possibility  of 
achievement,  but  they  simply  had  no  conception  that  in  the  lifetime  of  any  of  them  the 
Society  would  have  one  of  the  best  structures  in  the  world  for  exhibition,  with  collections 
of  great  magnitude  in  all  the  departments  of  natural  history,  unequalled  in  arrangement 
for  instruction ;  or  that  it  would  carry  on  such  educational  work  as  has  been  done,  and  is 
now  doing,  through  the  Teachers'  School  of  Science  and  other  instrumentalities. 

Nor  does  it  less  become  the  members  to  ask,  especially  in  view  of  the  fact  that  for  fur- 
ther progress  in  the  work  carried  on  by  them  they  will  yet  be  obliged  to  rely  on  additional 
aid,  whether  the  Society  has  faithfully  administered  the  trusts  reposed  in  its  care;  and 
whether  the  wishes  of  those  who  endowed  it  with  means  by  which  it  has  become  what  it 
is,  have  been  fully  regarded  in  the  use  of  the  property  placed  at  its  disposal. 


238 


HISTORICAL   SKETCH  OF  THE 


To  this  the  writer  also  responds  unhesitatingly  in  the  affirmative,  sustained  by  the  grat- 
ifying fact  that  among  the  nearest  representatives  of  the  great  donors  may  be  found  those 
best  pleased  with  all  the  Society  has  done. 

For  the  better  understanding,  on  the  part  of  the  members  of  future  generations,  of  the 
condition  of  the  affairs  of  the  Society  at  the  present  period,  it  may  not  be  amiss  to  state 
concisely  what  are  its  possessions,  just  what  it  is  now  doing,  with  what  means,  its  present 
needs,  and  what  are  the  hopes  and  the  aspirations  of  those  who  are  now  its  active  mem- 
bers. First  then  as  to  its  possessions.  It  owns  the  l)uilding  known  as  the  Museum,  its 
cases,  furniture,  library  and  the  collections  contained  therein,  free  from  all  incumbrance. 
The  value  of  the  building  with  cases  may  be  estimated  at  the  cost,  $150,334.86,  as  it  cer- 
tainly could  not  be  erected  at  the  present  time  without  a  larger  expenditure.  The  money 
value  of  the  library  and  collections  cannot  be  given.  The  former  embraces  as  before 
stated,  over  14,000  volumes  and  nearly  6000  pamphlets. 

The  collections  may  be  said  to  be  of  inestimable  worth  not  only  to  the  Society,  but  to 
the  community,  for  a  considerable  portion  of  unique  and  type  specimens  in  the  several  de- 
partments could  never  be  replaced.  There  is  not  on  the  part  of  the  public  an  adequate 
conception  of  the  extent  of  these  collections  and  of  the  great  importance  that  they  should 
be  properly  cared  for,  scientifically  arranged  and  fully  labelled  in  order  that  they  may  con- 
tinue in  all  the  future  to  serve  as  they  now  do,  to  help  in  the  education  of  those  who  seek 
to  know  something  of  the  works  of  the  Great  Creator  of  all  things,  and  who  are  not  able 
to  attend  the  scientific  schools  whex'e  this  knowledge  is  specifically  taught.  The  following 
statement  will  show  the  magnitude  of  the  cabinet  at  this  period. 


Miner alogical  Collection. 
General  collection     .        .        .  5,660  specimens. 

New  England  collection  .         .  679  " 


Total 6,339  " 

Geological  Collection. 

Catnlogued  and  on  exliibition  .  3,265  specimens. 

Others  yet  uneatalogued  .         .  1,700  " 


Totnl 4,965 

The  New  England  rocks  are  all  included  in  the 
1700  yet  uneatalogued,  and  they  amount,  in  round 
numbers,  to  1500  specimens. 


Palaeontological   Collection. 

Europe      ..... 

1.3,691  ! 

specimens. 

North  America,  exclusive  of  New 

England         .... 

7,678 

(( 

South  America .... 

170 

(( 

Asia  and  Australia    . 

170 

1.1. 

Africa 

14 

(.(. 

New  England   .... 

5.50 

a 

Unmounted,  North  America     .  800  specimens. 

"         New  England         .  200  " 

Anatomical  Collection. 

Skeletons,  preparations  and  other 
specimens      .        .        .         .  4,153  specimens. 

Microscopical  Collection. 

Bailey  collection       .         .        .  1,839  specimens. 

Burnett   "         .         .         .         .  566  « 

R.  C.  Greenleaf  and  Dr.  A.  D.  Sinclair 

collection       ....  480  " 

Rogers  collection      .         .         .  275  " 

Received  from  Messrs.  A.  Hyatt  an<l 

W.  O.  Crosby         ...  114 

Received  from  Mr.  E.  Samuels  24  " 

«  "    others         .         .  62  " 


Total . 


3,360 


Mounted  and  arranged 


22,273 


Sponges. 

A  general  collection  not  yet  in  a  condition  to  deter- 
mine numlier  and  species;  also  a  large  collection 
of  New  England  specimens  not  yet  examined. 


BOSTON   SOCIETY  OF   NATURAL   HISTORY. 


239 


Radiates. 

Coelenterates. 

General  collection  including  New 


Reptiles. 


England  species 


EchinoJerms. 


General  collection 

New  England  collection 


Total 


Worms. 


General  collection 
New  England  collection 


Total 


Crustacea. 


General  collection 
New  England  collection 


Species. 

200 

Species. 

120 
25 


Species. 

150 
150 


Species. 

400 
150 


Total 


Insects. 


General  collection 

Harris  " 

New  England  collection 


Species. 

10,000 
4,364 
3,000 


Total 

Mollusks. 

General  collection 

New  England  collection     . 

Total   .... 

Jfishes.^ 

General  collection 
New  England  collection 


Total 


Amphibia. 


General  collection 
New  England  collection 

Total     . 


Species. 

5,400 
160 


Species. 

700 
115 


Species. 

70 
14 


Specimens, 

1,000 

Specimens. 

1,000 
700 


1,700 

Specimens. 

400 
400 


800 

Specimens . 

1,000 
1,500 


2,500 

Specimens. 

35,000 

11,023 

7,600 

53,623 

Specimens. 

32,000 
3,000 

35,000 


Specimens. 

2,500 
2,000 


4,500 

Specimens . 

324 
100 


General  collection 
New  England  collection 


Species. 

200 
23 


Specimens . 

740 

77 


Total 


817 


Birds. 


General  collection  of  mounted  birds  . 
New  England  collection  of  mounted  birds 


Total   . 

Bird  skins  about. 
Eggs  of  birds  about   . 


Mammals. 


General  collection 
New  England  collection 


Specimens. 

11,801 
527 

12,328 

5,000 
5,200 


Species.  Specimens. 

54  67 

30  51 


Total 118 

Besides  some  alcoholic  S]iecimens  and  skins. 

Botanical  Department. 
Herharium. 


General  collection 

Lowell  "      . 

New  England  collection 

Total  . 


28,885  specimens. 
20,986  " 

3,277 


53,148 


On  Exhibition  in  glass  cases. 
General  collection       .         .         .         2,666  specimens. 


New  England  collection 
Total   . 


406 


3,072 


424 


The  New  England  specimens  on  exhibition  consist  of : 

30  framed  lithographs  presented   by  Mr.  George  B. 

Emerson. 
182  mounted    specimens   of   trees  and   shrubs,  jire- 

sented  by  Mr.  Edward  T.  Bouve. 
194  specimens  of  wood  and  fruit,  presented  by  Mr. 

Edward  T.  Bouve. 


Besides  the  Museum  Building,  the  Library  and  the  collections  mentioned,  the  Society 
holds  property  in  notes,  bonds  and  stocks,  amounting  in  value  to  $154,405,  estimating  the 
bonds  and  stocks  at  their  par  value,  which  is  below  what  they  would  now  sell  for  in  the 
market. 

^  It  has  been  stated  in  this  history,  and  the  statement  has  is  happy  to  be  able  to  say  that  a  considerable  number  of 
been  repeated,  that  the  specimens  of  Massachusetts  fishes  these,  about  one  half,  have  recently  been  found  in  the  gen- 
presented  by  Dr.  D.  Humphreys  Storer  were  nearly  all  al-  era]  collection,  identified  and  placed  on  exhibition, 
lowed  to  perish  for  want  of  care  and  attention.     The  author 


240  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 

As  to  what  it  is  now  doing.  It  is  engaged,  through  the  constant  and  arduous  work  of 
the  assistants  in  the  Museum,  in  perfecting  the  work  that  has  been  going  on  for  several 
years,  of  rearranging,  placing  upon  tablets,  rebottling  and  relabelling  tlie  specimens 
according  to  their  several  needs  in  all  the  departments,  and  in  exerting  proper  means  for 
their  pi'eservation.  None  but  those  engaged  in  such  work  can  understand  the  labor  and 
the  watchfulness  constantly  required  to  prevent  injury  through  many  causes,  but  more 
particularly  through  the  destructive  action  of  vermin,  and  from  the  evaporation  of  liquids 
in  which  thousands  of  specimens  are  immersed.  The  modern  cases,  it  is  true,  are  gen- 
erally secure  from  the  admission  of  pests,  but  frequent  examination  of  their  contents  is 
not  less  necessary.  The  opening  of  a  door  for  a  moment  may  sometimes  admit  an  anthre- 
nus,  the  progeny  of  which  it  may  require  weeks  to  eradicate.  Constant  vigilance  can 
only  preserve  the  perishable  portion  of  natural  history  collections  from  ruin. 

It  is  striving  constantly  to  render  its  collections  more  educational,  not  only  by  such 
arrangement  as  will  facilitate  their  study,  but  by  models  and  anatomical  preparations  giv- 
ino;  the  internal  structure  and  showing  the  habits  of  animals. 

It  holds  meetings  on  the  first  and  third  Wednesday  evenings  of  each  month,  except 
during  the  warm  season,  at  which  scientific  conuuunications,  either  written  or  verbal,  are 
made  by  members,  followed  often  by  discussions  upon  the  matter  presented.  All  important 
communications  and  remarks  are  published  in  the  Memoirs  or  Proceedings  of  the 
Society,  together  with  any  business  transacted.  Besides  the  general  meetings  there  are 
others  held  of  such  sections  as  may  be  active.  There  have  been  three,  those  of  entomol- 
ogy, microscopy  and  botany,  but  only  one  of  these,  that  of  entomology,  can  be  said  to 
exist  at  present,  otherwise  than  nominally. 

In  its  Laboratory  it  is  doing  much  for  those  who  seek  knowledge  in  natural  history. 
Instruction  is  given  to  a  class  of  the  students  of  the  Boston  University  in  Biology  and 
Zoology ;  to  a  class  of  the  students  of  the  Institute  of  Technology  in  Zoology  and  Pa- 
laeontology ;  and  to  a  special  class  of  teachers  of  the  Public  Schools  in  Zoology.  The 
laboratory  room  and  the  working  collections  therein  are  used  also  by  other  persons 
engaged  in  teaching  or  studying.  The  accommodations  of  the  room  are  inadequate  for 
all  who  give  and  seek  instruction,  not  affording  proper  conveniences  for  either.  About 
seventy  persons  now  make  use  of  it. 

Respecting  the  very  important  educational  worlc  the  Society  has  done  through  the 
Teachers'  School  of  Science,  it  is  a  matter  of  great  regret  that  lack  of  means  pre- 
vented its  continuance  through  the  past  winter.  Tlie  maintenance  of  this  has  hitherto 
entirely  depended  on  contributions  from  individuals  who,  recognizing  tlie  great  benefits 
arising  from  the  instruction  of  teachers,  have  voluntarily  proffered  aid.  Whilst,  therefore, 
it  cannot  be  said  tliat  just  at  the  present  period  the  Society  is  carrying  on  this  worlc,  it 
may  nevertheless,  soon  be  the  case,  as  it  stands  ready  with  its.  unequalled  facilities  to 
recommence  the  courses  of  instruction  whenever  it  can  have  the  necessary  help.^ 

'  Since  the  period  at  wliieh  Uie  liistorical  slcetch  closes,  tiniiance  of  the  Teachers'  School  of  Science  (luring  the  fol- 

two  ladies  of  Boston,  to  whom   the  city  owes  much,  Mrs.  lowing  season.     Several  courses  of  lessons  to  the  teachers  of 

Qnincy  A.  Shaw  and  Mrs.  Augustus  lienienway,  with  unso-  the  Public  Schools  are,   therefore,  being  given  at  the  time 

licited  cenerosity,  tendered  the  necessary  means  for  the  con-  of  the  publication  of  this  volume. 


BOSTON   SOCIETY   OF  NATUKAL   HISTORY.  241 

In  its  publications  the  Society  is  doing  a  great  work.  The  issues  are  of  such  character 
as  to  constantly  enhance  its  reputation  at  home  ami  abroad,  and  enable  it  through 
exchano-e  with  foreio-n  bodies  to  secure  for  the  use  of  the  members  and  others  enQjaored  in 
the  study  of  natural  history,  memoirs  and  journals  indispensable  to  students,  and  which 
the  Society  could  not  otherwise  obtain.  Exchanges  are  made  at  the  present  period  with 
three  hundred  and  sixty  societies  and  proprietors  of  scientific  journals.  To  meet  the  call 
for  the  various  publications  of  the  Society,  its  Memoirs,  Proceedings,  and  Occasional 
Papers,  an  edition  of  eight  hundred  of  each  issue  is  printed. 

In  addition  to  all  that  has  been  mentioned,  the  Society  is  sustaining  its  Library,  which 
is  not  only  open  to  members  but  to  all  engaged  in  scientific  investigation,  upon  proper 
application,  and  under  reasonable  restriction.  By  an  agreement  with  the  Institute  of 
Technology,  its  students  are  allowed  the  privilege  of  consulting  the  books  and  taking  them 
out  for  study.  The  use  of  the  Library  is  now  much  greater  than  at  any  former  period,  and 
is  constantly  increasing. 

Now  what  are  the  means  at  the  present  period  upon  which  the  Society  can  rely  to  go  on 
with  its  work  ?  They  are  manifestly  not  its  ownership  in  what  is  visible,  its  beautiful 
building,  its  growing  library,  and  its  grand  collections.  These  are  of  inestimable  value, 
but  the}^  are  all  of  them  sources  of  great  expense,  not  of  income.  To  sustain  these,  to  con- 
tinue pul)lication,  without  which  there  can  be  but  little  progress,  and  to  do  such  educa- 
tional work  as  is  now  called  for,  a  much  larger  funded  property  is  required  than  that  now 
held  by  the  Society.  This  amounts,  as  has  been  stated,  to  |lo4,405  at  the  par  value  of 
the  stocks  held  by  it,  and  from  this  an  income  can  scarcely  be  looked  for  exceeding  eight 
thousand  to  nine  thousand  dollars  per  annum.  Assessments  on  members  increase  this  from 
one  to  two  thousand  dollars  more. 

Now  when  it  is  borne  in  mind  that  from  this  income  it  is  incumbent  upon  the  Society  to 
pay  on  an  average  about  three  hundred  dollars  yearly  for  prizes  ;  to  have  in  its  employ  an 
accomplished  scientific  man  in  general  charge  of  its  Museum,  with  several  able  assistants  ; 
a  secretary  and  librarian,  also  of  scientific  attainments,  with  assistants  in  the  library ;  and 
a  janitor  to  look  after  the  building  and  contents  ;  to  say  nothing  of  the  necessary  repairs, 
fuel,  gas,  etc.,  the  question  may  well  be  asked  how  an  income  that  will  scarcely  meet  the 
living  expenses  of  many  individual  families  in  the  community,  can  suffice  for  such 
requirements.  In  truth  it  has  only  been  by  exceeding  economy  that  these  absolutely 
necessary  expenses  have  been  kept  within  the  income.  All  of  extraordinary  character 
have  been  met  by  help  from  individual  members  and  others.  It  has  been  found  almost 
impossible  to  spare  any  reasonable  amount  for  additions  to  the  cabinet,  and  consequently 
the  New  England  collections  in  the  several  departments  which  it  is  very  important  to 
complete,  are  yet  very  far  from  being  so.  What  was  long  since  stated  by  the  Custodian 
of  the  New  England  collection  of  mammals  yet  remains  true  :  "  It  is  a  disgrace  to  the 
Society."  This  is  the  more  imfortunate  from  the  fact  that  some  of  the  larger  animals 
may  ere  long  become  extinct  in  our  borders. 

Having  now  presented  a  statement  of  the  possessions  of  the  Society  at  this  time,  what 
it  is  doing  and  the  income  upon  which  it  depends  to  sustain^its  work,  a  few  words  ujion  its 
requirements,  its  hopes  and  its  aspirations,  may  be  added. 


242  HISTORICAL    SKETCH    OF   THE 

As  to  its  requirements,  these  have  partially  been  given  in  mentioning  its  means  and 
their  inadequacy ;  others  equally  necessary  but  not  so  pressing  will  be  here  referred  to. 

It  needs  to  build  another  gallery  in  the  Museum  as  originally  designed,  in  order  that  the 
New  England  collections  in  the  various  departments  may  be  brought  together.  It  needs 
means  to  enable  it  to  bind  thousands  of  volumes  in  its  library,  periodicals  received 
by  exchanges,  and  other  works  which  it  has  hitherto  l>een  unable  to  do.  Thanks  to  the 
Huntington  Frothingham  Wolcott  fund,  it  will  henceforth  be  able  to  take  care  of  books 
received,  but  it  requires  a  large  sum  to  bind  those  obtained  in  the  past  and  which  suffer 
from  want  of  it. 

Of  its  hopes,  they  are  that  it  may  not  only  be  able  to  go  on  with  its  work,  but  that  it 
may  progress,  and  that  the  requirements  for  this  may  not  long  be  wanting.  Doing 
what  it  is  in  fostering  the  taste  for  a  study  refining  and  elevating  in  its  tendencies,  it  feels 
that  its  efforts  should  not  be  allowed  to  become  futile  through  lack  of  necessary  means  to 
continue  its  work  without  constant  strua:2;le. 

Of  its  aspirations  for  the  future,  they  are  such  as  all  will  commend  who  recognize  that 
progress  is  a  duty,  viz. :  That  it  may  be  able  to  meet  the  increasing  call  from  a  growing 
community  for  instruction  in  natural  history,  to  such  as  cannot  avail  themselves  of  the 
advantages  afforded  otherwise,  by  an  expansion  of  its  laboratory  and  other  facilities ;  that 
it  may,  before  a  long  period  has  elapsed,  be  able  to  add  an  aquaria!  garden  to  its  collections, 
both  for  the  study  of  the  habits  of  a  portion  of  the  aniural  kingdom  and  as  an  additional 
attraction  to  visitors  of  the  Museum  ;  and  that  as  these  desires  cannot  have  full  fruition 
without  more  extensive  accommodations,  that  the  day  may  not  be  flxr  distant  when  it  shall 
possess  the  ability  to  enlarge  the  Museum  building  so  as  to  best  serve  its  designs  and 
purposes  ;  that  it  may  also  be  able  to  publish  the  increasing  researches  of  its  members 
with  the  illustrations  they  require  ;  which  it  is  now  by  no  means  able  to  do,  many  me- 
moirs being  diverted  to  other  channels  of  publication  which  would  naturally  be  ofl'ered  to 
the  Society  were  it  able  to  do  more  than  at  present. 

The  names  of  some  of  the  most  able  naturalists  of  the  country,  including  several  of 
the  most  distinguished  of  the  age,  are  to  be  found  on  its  roll  of  active  members  during 
the  half  century,  as  Louis  Agassiz,  Jeffries  Wyman,  Asa  Gray,  Augustus  A.  Gould,  Wm. 
B.  Rogers,  Henry  D.  Eogers,  Thomas  Nuttall,  Charles  Pickering,  D.  Humphreys  Storer, 
George  B.  Emerson,  Amos  Biuney,  Charles  T.  Jackson,  Thaddeus  W.  Harris,  Count  Desor. 
Others  of  its  members  if  less  illustrious  as  scientists  have  been  men  of  such  excellence  of 
life  and  character  as  to  have  endeared  them  to  all  the  community.  Who  that  knew  in 
life  Dr.  Benj.  D.  Greene,  the  Eev.  F.  W.  P.  Greenwood,  Dr.  John  Ware,  Dr.  Martin 
Gay,  Mr.  Thomas  Bulfinch,  and  many  others  worthy  of  mention  with  these,  will  not 
feel  that  its  annals  have  indeed  been  sanctified  by  a  spii-it  of  purity  and  simplicity 
throughout  all  the  years  of  the  half  century  now  closed.  If  anything  has  nuide  the 
writing  of  these  pages  a  pleasing  task  to  the  author,  it  has  been  the  contemplation  of 
such  exalted  worth  as  marked  the  lives  and  deeds  of  so  many  of  his  associates.  This  has 
sometimes  impressed  him  with  a  feeling  that  the  atmosphere  about  him  was  hallowed  by 
their  presence. 

The  writer  in  his  concluding  remarks  cannot  do  better  than  to  commend  to  the  govern- 
ment of  the  Society,   the   expressive  words  of  its  great  benefactor,  in  bequeathing  to  it 


BOSTON   SOCIETY   OF  NATURAL  HISTORY.  243 

the  property,  without  which  it  could  not  have  continued  its  work,  and  to  express  the 
hope  that  the  request  so  touchingly  urged  may  not  only  be  sacredly  regarded  through 
coming  years,  but  that  the  policy  indicated  may  be  observed  in  relation  to  all  property 
that  the  generosity  of  others  may  hereafter  bestow  upon  the  Society ;  to  the  end  that  its 
means  of  usefulness  be  not  impaired,  and  that  its  elevating  and  beneficent  influences  be 
continued  throuo:h  all  venerations. 

The  words  referred  to  are  as  follows : 

"  Finally,  I  request  the  recipients  of  the  above  bequeathed  property  to  realize  that  no 
inconsiderable  portion  thereof  has  been  gathered  as  the  fruits  of  a  laborious  vocation, 
exercised  through  anxious  days  and  sleepless  nights ;  that  it  is  given  to  them,  in  tnist 
nevertheless,  to  be  expended  so  as  to  inure  to  tlie  greatest  advancement  of  sound  educa- 
tion in  the  departments  as  above  specified,  and  the  public  good.  I  request  that  its  invest- 
ment may  l)e  safely  guarded ;  that  its  expenditure  may  be  subject  to  the  strictest  econ- 
omy ;  yet  that  it  may  be  appropriated  liberally  where  the  objects  aimed  at  justify  an  open 
hand,  and  cannot  be  afforded  the  cause  of  education  and  the  public  good  at  less  expense." 

With  due  regard  to  what  is  here  expressed,  the  permanence  of  the  Society  is  at  least 
secure,  and  it  may  reasonably  be  presumed  that  the  means  of  progress  will  not  forever  be 
wanting. 


244 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE 


PAST    OFFICERS    OF   THE    SOCIETY. 


rUKSIDESTS. 


Thomas  Nuttall, 
Benjamin  D.  Greene, 
George  B.  Emerson, 
Amos  Binney, 


Elected. 
May,  13,  1830. 
Aug.  9,  1830. 
May  3,  1837. 
May  17,  1843. 


Retired, 
Aug.  9,  1830. 
May  3,  1837. 
May  17,  1843. 
May  5,  1847. 


John  Collins  Warren, 
Jeffries  Wyman, 
Thomas  T.  Bouvt^, 
Samuel  H,  Scudtler, 


Elected. 
May  5, 1847. 
June  18,  1856. 
June  15,  1870. 
May  5,  1880. 


Retired. 
May  4,  1856. 1 
May  4,  1870. 
May  5,  1880. 


George  Hayward, 
.lohn  Ware, 
F.  W.  P.  Greenwood, 
Anius  Binney, 


FIRST   VICE  PRESIDENT.S. 

May  13,  1830.  May  12.  1832.  Charles  T.  Jackson,  May  17,  1843. 

May  12,  1832.  May  4,  1836.  Samuel  H.  Scudder,  May  6,  1874. 

May  4,  1836.  May  6,  1841.  John  Cummings,  May  5,  1880. 

May  5,  1841.  May  17,  1843. 


May  6,  1874. 
May  5,  1880. 


SECOND    VICE   PRESIDENTS. 


,Iohn  Ware, 
Francis  C.  Gray, 
F.  W.  P.  Greenwood, 
Walter  Channing, 
Amos  Binnej', 
0.  T.  Jackson, 


May  13,  1830. 
May  12,  18.32. 
May  7,  1834. 
May  4,  1836. 
May  3,  1837. 
May  5,  1841. 


May  12,  1832. 
May  7,  1834. 
May  4,  1836. 
May  3,  1837. 
May  5,  1841. 
May  17,  1843. 


P.  Humphreys  Storer, 
Augustus  A.  Gould, 
Thomas  T.  BouvtS, 
Eichard  C.  Greenleaf, 
John  Cummings, 
Frederick  W.  Putnam, 


May  17,  1843. 
May  2,  1860. 
Nov.  21,  1866. 
May  3,  1871. 
May  6,  1874. 
May  6,  1880. 


May  2,  1860. 
Sept.  15,  1866.1 
June  15,  1870. 
May  6,  1874. 
May  6,  1880. 


CORRESPONDING   SECRETARIES. 

Gamaliel  Bradford,  May  13,  1830.  May  7, 1834.  Augustus  A.  Gould,  May  17,  1843.  May  1,  1850. 

Amos  Binney,  May  7,  1834.  May  3,  1837.  J.  Elliot  Cabot,  May  1,  1850.  June  1,  1853. 

Epes  S.  Dixwell,  May  3,  1837.  May  17,  1843.  S.  L.  Abbot,  Nov.  2,  1853.  May  3, 1876. 

Name  of  office  changed. 


S.  L.  Abbot, 


May  3,  1876. 


HONOKART   SECRETARY. 


RECORDING  SECRETARIES. 


Theophilus  Parsons, 
D.  Huinphreys  Storer, 
Martin  Gay, 
Augustus  A.  Gould, 
Jeffries  Wyman, 
Frederick  A.  Eddy, 
T.  Bulfinch, 


May  13,  1830. 
Sept.  2,  1830. 
May  4,  1830. 
May  2,  1838. 
^ray  15,  1839. 
May  5,  1841. 
May  4,  1842. 


Sept.  2,  1830. 
May  4,  1836. 
May  2,  1838. 
May  15,  1839. 
Mar.  17,  1841. 
April  20,  1842. 
May  3,  1848. 


S.  L.  Abbot, 
Benjamin  S.  Shaw, 
Samuel  Kneeland,  -Jr., 
Samuel  H.  Scudder, 
Joshua  A.  Swan, 
Edward  Burgess, 


May  3,  1848. 
Nov.  2,  1853. 
June  16, 1858. 
May  7,  1862. 
May  4,  1870. 
Feb.  21, 1872. 


Oct.  19,  1853. 
June  2,  1858. 
May  7,  1862. 
May  4,  1870. 
Oct.  31, 1871.' 
Mav  3,  1870. 


Name  of  office  changed. 


Edward  Burgess, 


May  3,  1876. 


SECRETARY. 


Simon  E.  Greene, 
Amos  Binney, 
Epes  S.  Dixwell, 
Ezra  Weston,  Jr., 
John  James  Dixwell, 
Patrick  T.  Jackson,  .Jr., 


TREASURERS. 

May  13,  1830.  May  2,  1832.  Nath.aniel  B.  Shurtleff,  May  1,  1850.  May  6,  1858. 

May  2,  1832.  May  7,  1834.  Amos  Binney,  May  5,  1858.  Sept.  4,  1861. 

May  7,  1834.  Dec.  7,  1836.  Thomas  T.  Bouve,  Sept.  4,  1861.  May  3,  1865. 

Dec.  7,  1836.  May  1,  1839.  Edward  Pickering,  May  3,  1865.  Nov.  21,  1876.1 

May  1,  1839.  May  14,  1845.  Charles  W.  Scudder,  Feb.  21, 1877. 

May  14,  1845.  May  1,  1850. 


Seth  Bass, 
Charles  Aniory, 
Charles  K.  Dillaway, 


May  13,  1830. 
May  2,  1832. 
May  1,  1833. 


May  2,  1832. 
May  1,  1833. 
May  4, 1864. 


LIRRARIANS. 

Samuel  IT.  Scuddc 
Joshua  A.  Swan, 
Edward  Burgess, 


May  4,  1864. 
May  4,  1870. 
Feb.  21,  1872. 


May  4,  1870. 
Got.  31,  1871.1 


I  By  death. 


BOSTON   SOCIETY   OF  NATURAL  HISTORY. 


245 


CABINET-KEEPERS. 


Estes  Howe, 
Nathaniel  B.  Shurtleff, 
T.  M.  Brewer, 
Jeffries  Wyman, 
Samuel  Cabot,  Jr., 
William  I.  Bowditch, 
Samuel  L.  Abbot, 


Elected. 
May  7, 1834. 
May  20,  18.35. 
May  3,  1837. 
May  2,  1838. 
May  1,  1839. 
Oct.  2,  1839. 
Nov.  6,  1839. 


Retired. 
May  20,  1835. 
May  3,  1837. 
May  2,  1838. 
May  1,  1839. 
Oct.  2,  1839. 
Nov.  5,  1839. 
Deo.  30,1840. 


Henry  J.  Bigelow, 
Thomas  T.  Bouve, 
Henry  Bryant, 
Heury  .J.  Bigelow, 
Samuel  Kneelaml,  .Tr., 
C.  C.  Sheafe, 
Charles  Stodder, 


Elected. 
Dec.  30,  1840. 
May  5,  1841. 
May  4,  1842. 
Nov.  1,  1843. 
May  6,  1847. 
May  2,  1849. 
May  5,  1852. 


Retired. 
Mar.  17,  1841. 
May  4,  1842. 
Oct.  4,  1843. 
May  6,  1847. 
May  2,  1849. 
May  5,  1852. 
May  4,  1864. 


This  office  was  abolished  in  1864. 


Samuel  H.  Scudder, 
Samuel  H.  Scudder, 


May  4, 1864. 
Oct.  3,  1866. 


CUSTODIANS. 


May  3,  1865. 
May  4,  1870. 


Alpheus  Hyatt, 


May  4,  1870. 


Benjamin  D.  Greene, 
Francis  C.  Gray, 
Walter  Channing, 
Edward  Brooks, 
Amos  Binney, 
Jos.  W.  McKean, 
George  B.  Emerson, 
Francis  Alger, 
J.  S.  Copley  Greene, 
Joshua  B.  Flint, 
Augustus  A.  Gould, 


CURATORS. 

May  13,  1830.  Sept.  2,  1830.  Wiiislow  Lewis,  .Tr.,  May  2,  18.32.  May  2,  1838. 

May  13,  1830.  May  2,  1832.  William  B.  Fowlc,  May  2,  1832.  May  20,  1835. 

May  13,  1830.  May  4,  1831.  Clement  Durgin,  May  2,  1832.  May  1,  1833. 

May  13,  1830.  May  4,  1831.  G.  W.  Otis,  May  2,  1832.  May  20,  1835. 

May  13,  1830.  May  2,  1832.  Charles  T.  Jackson,  May  1,  1833.  May  2,  1838. 

May  13,  1830.  May  20,  1835.  John  B.  S.  Jackson,  May  7,  1834.  May  2,  1838. 

May  13,  1830.  May  3,  1837.  Thaddeus  W.  Harris,  May  20,  1835.  May  2,  1838. 

May  13,  1830.  May  7,  1834.  '           J.  E.  Tescheraacher,  May  20,  1835.  May  2,  1838. 

Sept.  2,  1830.  May  2,  1832.  Martin  Gay,  May  20,  1835. ,  May  4,  1836. 

May  4,  1831.  May  2,  1832.  D.  Humphreys  Storer,  May  4,  1836.  May  2,  1838. 

May  4,  1831.  May  2,  1838.  N.  B.  Shurtleff,  May  3,  1837.  May  2,  1838. 
The  curatorships  were  assigned  to  special  departments  for  the  first  time  m  1838. 


CUK.VTOR   OF    ETHNOLOGY. 

Charles  Pickering,  Feb.  5,  1862.  May  1,  1867. 

The  Curatorship  of  Ethnology  founded  in  1862,  was  .abolished  in  1867. 


Winslow  Lewis, 


Nathaniel  B.  Shurtleff, 


Nathaniel  B.  Shurtleff, 
Samuel  Kneeland,  Jr., 
Jeffries  Wyman, 
John  Green, 


May  1, 1839. 


CURATORS   OF   MAMMALS. 

May  2, 1838.  May  1, 1839.  Jeffries  Wyman, 

CURATOR  OF  COMPARATIVE  ANATOMY. 

May  2,  1838.  May  6,  1840. 

CURATORS   OF    COMPARATIVE   ANATOMY   ANr>    JIAMM.ILS. 

May  6,  1840.  May  2,  1849.  James  C.  White,  Dec.  1,  1858. 

May  2,  1849.  June  7,  1854.  C.  F.  Folsoni,  Nov.  18,  1868. 

Jnne  7,  1864.  May  6, 1857.  Thomas  Waterman,  Jan.  5,  1870. 

May  6,  1857.  Nov.  17,  1858. 


May  6, 1840. 


May  6,  1868. 
Oct.  6,  1869. 
ilay  4,  1870. 


The  Departments  of  Mammals  and  of  Comparative  Anatomy  were  united  in  1840,  and  again  separated  in 

CURATORS   OF   BIRDS. 


1870. 


Thomas  M.  Brewer, 
Marshall  S.  Scudder, 
S.  L.  Abbot, 


Thomas  M.  Brewer, 


D.  Humphreys  Storer, 


Jeffries  Wyman, 
Horatio  R.  Storer, 
Jert'ries  Wyman, 
J.  Nelson  Borland, 


May  2, 1838. 
May  6,  1840. 
Dec.  16,  1840. 


May  6,  1840. 
Dec.  16,  1840. 
May  1,  1844. 


Samuel  Cabot,  Jr., 
Henry  Bryant, 
J.  Elliot  Cabot, 


May  1, 1844. 
May  3,  1854. 
May  1,  1867. 


May  3,  1854. 
Feb.  2,  1867. 1 
May  4,  1870. 


July  2,  1851. 
M.ay  2,  1838. 


May  3,  1848. 
May  7,  1851. 
Jan.  4, 1854. 
Deo.  6, 1854. 


CUR.4TOR  OF  BIRDS  (nosts  and  eggs). 
May  4,  1870. 

CURATORS   OF   REPTILES   AND    FISH. 

May  17,  1843.  Jeffries  Wyman, 

The  Curatorship  was  separated  into  two  divisions  in  1S48. 

CURATORS  OP  REPTILES. 

May  7,  1851.  Samuel  A.  Green, 

Dec.  21,  1853.  Francis  H.  Brown, 

.June  7, 1864.  Burt  G.  Wilder, 

May  2, 1860.  J.  A.  Allen, 


May  17,  1843. 


May  2,  1860. 
May  1,  1861. 
Oct.  18,  1865. 
Nov.  18, 1868. 


May  3,  1848. 


May  1,  1861. 
Oct.  4,  1865. 
Oct.  7,  1868. 
May  4,  1870. 


'  By  death. 


246 


HISTORICAL   SKETCH    OF  THE 


W.  0.  Ayres, 
Silas  Durkee, 
Samuel  Kiieelaiid,  Jr., 


CURATORS  OF  FISHES. 

Elected.                             Retired.  Elected.                            Retired. 

May  3,  1848.                  Jiily  16^  1851.               N.  E.  Atwood,  Dec.  17,  1856.  May  5,  1858. 

July  16,  1851.                May  21,  1866.                Samuel  Kneeland,  Jr.,  May  5,  1858.  May  4,  1859. 

May  21,  1856.                 Sept.  3,  1856.                F.  W.  Putn.am,  May  4,  1859.  May  4,  1870. 


Thaddeus  W".  Harris, 
Waldo  I.  Burnett, 
Henry  K.  Oliver,  Jr., 


T.  J.  Waiittemore, 
Augustus  A.  Gould, 
A.  E.  Belknap, 
Augustus  A.  Gould, 
Edward  Tuckerman, 
John  Bacon,  Jr., 
William  Read, 


Amos  Binney, 
William  0.  A\Te3, 
J.  B.  S.  Jackson, 


H.  R.  Storer, 
Albert  Ordway, 


Theodore  Lyman, 


J.  E.  Teschemacher, 
Charles  James  Sprague, 


Silas  Durkee, 


Charles  T.  Jackson, 


May  2,  1838. 
May  3,  1848. 
May  2,  1855. 


June  5,  1839. 
May  B,  1841. 
May  17,  1843. 
May  1,  1S44. 
May  14,  1845. 
May  6,  1846. 
May  3,  184S. 


Feb.  3,  1841. 
July  16,  1851. 
May  18,  1853. 


CURATORS    OF    INSECTS. 

May  3,  1848.  Silas  Durkee, 

July  1,  1854. 1  Alex.  E.  R.  Agassiz, 

Sept.  5,  1855.  Samuel  H.  Scudder, 

CURATORS    OF   MOLLUSKS. 

May  5,  1S41.  William  Stimpson, 


May  17,  1843. 
May  1,  1844. 
May  14,  1845. 
May  6,  1846. 
May  8,  1848. 
Nov.  20,  1850. 


T.  J.  Wliittemore, 
Arthur  T.  Lyman, 
Nathan  Fnrrand, 
Alpheus  Hyatt, 
Edward  S.  Morse, 


CURATORS  OF  CRUSTACEANS  AND  RADIATES. 

M.ay  5,  1841.  John  P.  Reynolds, 


May  18,  1853. 
May  2,  1865. 


Theodore  Lyman, 


Sept.  2,  1867. 
May  4,  1859. 


Sept.  2,  1857. 


The  Curatorship  was  separated  into  two  divisions  in  1857. 

CURATORS    OF   CRUSTACEANS. 

May  4,  1869.  Alpheus  S.  Packard,  Jr., 

Dec  18,  1861. 

CUR.tTORS   OF   RADIATES. 

May  4,  1864.  Addison  E.  Verrill, 


May  2,  1838. 
May  5,  1862. 


June  3,  1857. 


May  6,  1852, 
May  3,  1865, 


CURATORS   OF    BOT.ANT. 

Horace  Mann, 


CURATORS  OF  MICROSCOPY. 

May  2,  1860.  B.  Joy  Jeffi-ies, 


May  21,  1856. 
May  6,  1858. 
Mar.  16,  1859. 


Dec.  4,  1850. 
May  18,  1863. 
May  2,  1860. 
June  6,  1860. 
Oct.  21,  1863. 
May  1, 1867. 


May  2,  1865. 
May  6,  1867. 


Dec.  2,  1863. 

May  4,  1864. 
May  3,  1865. 

May  2,  1860. 


Martin  Gay, 


CURATORS  OF  MINERALS  AND  GEOLOGY  (State  Collection). 
May  2,  1838.  May  6,  1841.  T.  Bulfinch,  May  6,  1841. 

CURATOR   OF   MINERALS   AND    GEOLOGY    (SociCty   CoUcCtlOn). 

May  2,  1838.        May  4,  1842. 


May  6,  1858. 
Mar.  2,  1859. 
May  4,  1870. 


May  18,  1853. 
May  2,  1860. 
May  16,  1860. 
May  4,  1863. 
May  1,  1867. 
May  4,  1870. 


May  6,  1857. 
Sept.  2,  1857. 


May  4,  1870. 

May  4,  1870. 
Nov.  11, 1868.1 

May  4, 1870. 
May  4,  1842. 


The  State  Collection  was  withdi'awn  fi-om  the  Society's  Museum,  and  the  Curatorship  of  Mineralogy  and  Geology  divided,  in  1842. 


Martin  Gay, 
Francis  Alger, 
■John  Bacon, 


Thomas  T.  Bouve, 


May  4,  1842. 
May  2,  1849. 
May  21,  1866. 


May  4,  1842. 


CURATORS  OF  MINERALS. 

May  2,  1849.  William  T.  Brigham, 

May  21,  1856.  Thomas  T.  Bouv6, 

May  4,  1863. 

CUR.\TORS   OF   GEOLOGY. 

May  4,  1863.  William  T.  Brigham, 


May  4,  1863. 
May  3,  1865. 


Jan.  2,  1867. 


May  3,  1865. 
May  4,  1870. 


May  4,  1870. 


The  dep,artment  of  Palaeontology  was  added  to  th.at  of  Geology  in  1863,  and  raised  to  a  separate  department  in  1867. 
Thomas  T.  Bouv^,  May  4,  1863. 


CURATOR  OF  GEOLOGY  AND  PALAEONTOLOGY. 

Jan.  2,  1867. 


CURATORS  OF  PALAEONTOLOGY. 

Thomas  T.  Bouv^,  Jan.  2,  1867.  May  1, 1867.  Alpheus  Hyatt,  May  1,  1867.  May  4, 1870. 

The  office  of  Curator  was  abolished  May  4, 1870  and  Committees  on  the  several  departments  were  elected. 


1  By  death. 


BOSTOlSr  SOCIETY  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY. 


247 


Thomas  T.  Bouv(', 
Charles  T.  Jackson, 


COMMITTEES   ON  DEPARTMENTS. 

Geology  and  Minerals. 

Elected.  Retired.  Elected. 

1870.  1872.  Willi.im  T.  Brigham,  1870. 

1670.  1872. 

The  depai'tments  of  Geology  and  Minerals,  united  in   1870,  were  separated  in  1872. 


Retired. 
1872. 


William  H.  Niles, 
William  T.  Briirliara, 
Thomas  T.  Bouve, 
John  Cummings, 


1872. 
1872. 
1872. 
1873. 


1873. 
1873. 
1874. 


Geology. 

T.  Sterry  Hunt,  1874. 

L.  S.  Burbank,  1874. 

Eev.  G.  Fred.  Wright,  1879. 


1879. 


Thomas  T.  Bouv^, 

1872. 

Charles  T.  Jackson, 

1872. 

L.  S.  Burbank, 

1872. 

W.  H.  Niles, 

1870. 

N.  S.  Shaler, 

1870. 

William  T.  Brigham, 

1870. 

Charles  J.  Sprague, 

1870. 

Thomas  Dwight, 

1870. 

Jeffries  Wyman, 

1870. 

A.  S.  Packard,  Jr., 

1870. 

A.  E.  Verrill, 

1870. 

Alexander  Agassiz, 

1870. 

Edward  S.  Morse, 

1670. 

John  Cummings, 

1870. 

Levi  L.  Thaxter, 

1870. 

F.  G.  Sanborn, 

1870. 

A.  S.  Packard,  Jr., 

1870. 

D.  H.  Storer, 

1870. 

F.  W.  Putnam, 

1870. 

J.  A.  Allen, 

1870. 

Samuel  Kueeland, 

1872. 

Thomas  M.  Brewer, 

1670. 

Samuel  Cabot, 

1870. 

J.  A.  Allen, 

1870. 

Thomas  Wateiman,  Jr., 

1870. 

J.  B.  S.  J.ackson, 

1870. 

Edwin  Bicknell, 

1870. 

B.  C.  Greenleaf, 

1870. 

1874. 
1879. 


1675. 


1874. 


Minerals. 

R.  H.  Richards, 
M.  E.  Wadsworth, 

Palaeontology. 

Thomas  T.  Bouv^, 
.Jules  Marcou, 

Botany. 

J.  Amory  Lowell, 
John  Cummings, 


Comparative  Anatomy. 

.James  C.  White, 
1674.1  William  F.  Whitney, 

Radiates  and  Crustaceans  \and  WormSf  added  in  1673]. 
1875.  H.  A.  Hagen, 

1875.  L.  F.  de  Pourtalfes, 


Bird's  [7iests  and  eggs.     Dropped  from  title  in  1873]. 
1880.1  J.  Elliot  Cabot, 

J.  A.  Allen, 


Mammals. 

.1.  H.  Emcrton, 
E.  L.  Mark, 
George  L.  Goodale 


1873. 
1879. 


1877.1 


Microscopy. 

B.  .Toy  JetlVies, 
Samuel  Wells. 


1874. 
1879. 


1870. 
1876. 


1870. 
1874. 


1870. 
1879. 


1875. 
1876. 


1878. 


1880. 


Mollusks. 

J.  Henry  Blake, 

1873. 

1873. 

C.  0.  Whitman, 

1879. 

1879. 

Insects. 

1873. 

Edward  Burgess, 

1870. 

S.  H.  Scudder, 

1873. 

Fishei 

!  and  Reptiles. 

1873. 

Richard  Bliss,  Jr., 

1873. 

S.  W.  Garman, 

1877. 

1672. 

Theodore  Lyman, 

1878. 

1878. 

1680. 


1877. 


1870. 
1871. 


1873. 
1879. 
1880. 


1870. 
1877. 


1871. 


1876. 


>  By  death. 


248  -  HISTORICAL   SKETCH  OF  THE 


CONTENTS. 

Notice  of  the  Linnaean  Society,   pp.  3-14. 

Early  publicntions  and  instrnction  in  natural  history,  3. —  Organiz.ation,  Dec.  8,  1814,  of  the  N.  E.  Society 
for  the  promotion  of  Natural  History,  3. —  Members  and  rules,  4. —  Change  of  name  in  1815  to  Lin- 
naean  Society  of  New  EngLind,  6. —  Collection  of  specimens  and  addresses,  6. — Division  of  the  Museum 
into  departments,  7. —  Sea-serpent  Stories,  10.— Signs  of  dissolution,  10.— Attempts  to  unite  with  the 
Athenaeum,  12. —  Decision  to  dispose  of  the  collections,  12. —  Lessons  taught  by  the  failure  of  the  Lin- 
naean  Society,  13. 

The  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History,  Decade  I,  Mat  1830  —  May  1840,  pp.  14-36. 

Formation  of  the  new  Society  and  election  of  officers,  14, —  with  Thomas  Nuttall  as  President,  who  declined 
to  serve,  and  Benjamin  D.  Greene  is  chosen,  14. —  Lectures  arranged,  15. —  Attempt  to  recover  the  col- 
lections of  the  Linnaean  Society,  16. —  Character  of  the  meetings,  17. —  Quarters  taken  in  Pearl  Street, 
17. —  First  Annual  Meeting  and  reports,  18. —  Geological  survey  of  the  State,  19. —  Difficulties  before 
the  early  students  of  natural  history,  20. —  Removal  to  Tremont  Street,  21. —  Attempts  to  raise  a  ])er- 
manent  fond,  21. —  Extent  of  collections,  23. —  Gift  from  Ambrose  S.  Courtis,  23. —  Publication  of  a 
"Journal,"  24. —  Second  Survey  of  the  State,  25. —  Death  of  Ambrose  S.  Courtis,  his  bequest  and  notice 
of  his  life,  26.— Purchase  of  the  Hentz  Collection,  27.— Resignation  of  Mr.  Greene  and  election  of 
George  B.  Emerson,  second  President,  28. —  Financial  troubles,  28. — Annual  Meeting  for  1838-39,  29. — 
Settlement  of  the  Courtis  bequest,  30. —  Aid  given  to  naturalists,  30. —  Death  of  Simon  E.  Greene,  30. — 
Annual  meeting,  1840,  31. —  Review  of  the  decade,  31. 

Decade  II,  May  1840— May  1850,  pp.  36-56. 

Bequest  of  Simon  E.  Greene,  36. —  Annual  meeting,  1841,  37. —  Meeting  of  the  American  Association  of 
Geologists  and  Naturalists,  38. —  Annual  reports  for  1842,38. —  Adoption  of  a  Diploma,  39. — Annual 
reports,  1843,  40.— Election  of  Dr.  Amos  Binney  as  third  President,  40. —  Death  of  the  Rev.  F.  W.  P. 
Greenwood,  40. —  Annual  meeting  of  1844,  41, —  and  of  1845,  43. — Endeavors  to  raise  fonds  for  the 
Society,  43. —  Bequest  of  John  Parker,  33. —  The  "  Sea-Serpent"  again,  44. —  Annual  reports  1846,  45. — 
Death  of  Dr.  Amos  Binney,  46.— Annual  meeting,  1847,  48. —  Election  of  Dr.  J.  C.  Warren,  fourth  Pres- 
ident, 48. —  Purchase  of  the  Medical  College  and  removal  to  Mason  Street,  49. —  Annual  reports  for 
1848,  50, —  and  for  1849,  51. —  Deposit  in  the  Library  of  the  books  of  "A  Republican  Institution,"  52. — 
Donation  of  Jonathan  Phillips,  52. —  Death  of  Dr.  Martin  Gay,  52. —  Annual  reports  for  1850,  53. — 
Early  discoveries  of  gold  in  California,  54. —  Review  of  the  second  decade,  55. 

Decade  III,  May  1850  — Mat  1860,  pp.  56-81. 

Annual  meetings  1851  and  1852,  57, —  and  of  1858,  58. —  Purchase  of  the  fossil  foot-jirints  from  the  Con- 
necticut Valley,  59. —  Death  of  James  E.  Teschemacher,  59. —  Annual  meeting  of  1854,  61. —  Death  of 
Dr.  Waldo  I.  Burnett,  61. —  Annual  meeting  of  1855,  63. —  Death  of  James  Brown,  63. —  Death  of  Dr. 
Thaddeus  W.  Harris,  64, —  and  of  the  Rev.  Zadoek  Thompson,  65. —  Annual  meeting,  1856,  66. —  Elec- 
tion of  Dr.  Jeffries  Wyman,  fifth  President,  68. —  First  and  only  field  meeting  of  the  Society,  68. —  De- 
posit fl-om  Dr.  Binney's  Library,  69. —  Deaths  of  Corresponding  Members,  J.  W.  Bailey,  W.  C.  Redfield, 
and  Michael  Tuomey,  69. —  Annual  meeting  of  1857,  69. —  Formation  of  a  Section  of  Microscojiy,  an<l 
bequest  of  the  collection  of  Prof  Bailey,  71. — -Donation  of  the  B.  D.  Greene  Herbarium,  71. —  Annual 
meeting,  1858,  72.— Deaths  of  Dr.  James  Deane  and  F.  W.  Cragin,  73.— Thoughts  of  a  new  building, 
74._  Annual  meeting  1859,  74,— and  of  1860,  76.— Sketch  of  Dr.  D.  Humphreys  Storer,  77.—  Review 
of  the  third  decade,  80. 


BOSTON   SOCIETY   OF   NATURAL   HISTORY.  249 

Decade  IV,  Mat  1860-Mat  1870,  pp.  81-138. 

Bequest  of  Jonatlinn  Phillips,  81. — Constmit  exertions  foi-  a  grant  of  land  for  a  new  building,  81. —  First 
donation  from  Dr.  William  J.  Walker,  S'2. —  Grant  of  land  to  tlie  Society  and  the  JIassacliusetts  Insti- 
tute of  Technology,  83. —  Annu.al  meeting  1861,  83. —  Sale  of  building  on  Mason  Street  and  temporary 
removal  to  Bulfinch  Street,  84. —  Plans  for  the  new  building,  85. —  Large  osteological  additions,  s,'). — 
Gift  of  ethnological  collections  from  the  Boston  Marine  Society,  87. — ^Successful  eft'orts  of  the  Building 
Committee,  subscriptions  of  $120,000  obtained  and  the  second  gift  from  Dr.  W.  J.  Walker,  87. —  Con- 
tracts for  the  new  Building,  87.— Annual  reports  for  18G2,  87.— Death  of  Dr.  B.  D.  Greene,  8!^.— Gill 
of  the  Megatherium  cast,  91. — -Annual  meeting  of  1SG3,  91. —  Deaths  of  Dr.  George  Ilayward  and 
Francis  Alger,  92. —  First  meeting  in  the  new  building,  92. —  Fin.ancial  shadows,  94. —  New  offer  of 
$20,000  from  Dr.  Walker  on  condition  of  raising  an  equal  amount,  95. —  Death  of  Dr.  Edward  Hitch- 
cock, 95, —  of  Dr.  John  Ware,  95. —  Resignation  of  Mr.  Dillaway,  the  Librarian  since  1833,96. —  An- 
nual meeting  1S64,  96. —  Office  of  Custodian  created,  and  election  of  S.  II.  Scndder,  97. —  Dedication  of 
the  new  Museum,  99. —  Death  of  C.  A.  Shurtleff,  100. —  Subscriptions  to  its  Working  Fund  com])leted, 
100. —  Conditions  as  to  use  of  the  amount  received  from  Dr.  W.alker,  100. —  Establishment  of  Walker 
Prizes,  100. —  Reorganization  of  a  Section  of  Microscopy,  102. —  First  course  of  lectures  to  Teachers, 
102.— Death  of  Dr.  William  J.  Walker,  and  sketch  of  his  life,  103.— Bequests  of  Dr.  Walker,  105.— 
Annual  meeting,  1865,  105. —  Cost  of  the  Museum,  106. —  Ravages  of  insects,  106. —  Gift  of  the  Lafres- 
naye  Collection  of  Birds  by  Dr.  Henry  Bryant,'  108.— Attempt  to  make  Dr.  Wyman  Director,  109. — 
Annual  meeting,  1866,  109. —  Establishment  of  tlie  "Memoirs"  as  a  new  series  of  the  "Journal,"  109. — 
Death  of  Prof  Henry  D.  Rogers,  111. —  Death  of  Dr.  Augustus  A.  Gould,  111. —  The  Custodianship, 
116. —  P^rmation  of  a  Section  of  Entomology,  117.— Bequest  of  Miss  S.  P.  Pratt,  117.— Death  of  Dr. 
Henry  Bryant,  117. —  Cooperation  with  ex)>lorations  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  118.— Discussion 
on  the  House  Sparrow,  118. —  vVbolition  of  the  Department  of  Ethnology,  119. —  Completion  of  some 
unfinished  rooms,  119. —  Bequest  of  Paschal  P.  Pojie,  119.— Annual  meeting,  1867,  119. —  Death  of 
Thomas  Bulfinch,  120. —  Public  lectures,  121. —  Annual  meeting  1868,  121. —  Admission  of  ladies  to 
meetings,  123. — Death  of  Horace  Mann,  123. —  Annual  meeting  1869,  124. —  Results  of  the  Central 
American  explorations,  125. —  Excessive  expenditures,  126. —  Celebration  of  the  centennial  anniversary 
of  Humlioldt's  birth,  127. —  Founding  of  a  Humboldt  Scholarshi])  in  the  Museum  of  Comparative  Zool- 
ogy, 128. —  Formation  of  Committees  in  charge  of  the  different  collections,  129. —  Annual  meeting  1870, 
129. —  Resignation  of  Mr.  Scudder  from  the  Custodianship,  etc.,  and  of  Professor  Wyman  from  the  Pres- 
idency, 132. —  Election  of  Prof.  A.  Hyatt,  Custodian,  and  Rev.  J.  A.  Swan,  Secretary  and  Librarian, 
133. —  Review  of  the  fourth  decade,  133. —  Part  taken  by  members  of  the  Society  in  the  war  of  the 
rebellion,  133.— Joseph   P.  Couthouy,  138.  — Gift  of  the  II.  F.  Wolcott  Fund,  138. 

Decade  V,   May  1870-Mat  1880,  pp.  140-243. 

Duties  of  the  s.alaried  officers,  141.—  Election  of  Thomas  T.  Bouve,  President,  142.—  Plan  for  arranging 
the  Museum  proposed  by  Professor  Hyatt,  143. —  Skeleton  of  a  Fin-back  whale  secured,  145. —  Ar- 
rangement with  the  Trustee  of  the  Lowell  Institute  for  series  of  lectures  under  the  Society's  auspices, 
145. —  Establishment  through  John  Cummings  of  the  Teachers'  School  of  Science,  145.— Bequest 
from  Sidney  Homer,  146.— Annual  meeting  1871,  146.— Death  of  the  Secretary,  Ri'v.  J.  .\.  Swan, 
148.— Election  of  Edward  Burgess,  Secretary  and  Liljrarian,  149.— Death  of  William  II.  Dale, 
and  his  bequest  to  the  Section  of  Entomology,  149. —  Annual  meeting  1872,  149. —  .\nnual  meeting  1873, 
152.— Award  of  the  first  Grand  Walker  Prize  to  Alexander  Agassiz,  154.— Death  of  Prof.  Louis 
Agassiz,  154. —  Precautions  against  fire,  and  progress  of  the  re-arrangement  of  the  Museum,  164. —  At- 
tempt to  induce  the  Legislature  to  authorize  a  new  survey  of  the  St.ate,  165. —  Annua!  meeting  1874, 
165. —  Gift  of  the  Eser  Paleontological  Collection  by  Mr.  John  Cummings,  106.— Dr.  Charles  T.  Jackson, 
167. —  Thoughts  of  the  establishment  of  a  Zoological  Garden  and  Aqviarium,  160. —  Death  of  Dr.  Jeffries 
Wyman,  169.— Pixrchase  of  the  Wyman  Collection  of  Comparative  Anatomy,  177.— Annual  meeting, 
1875,  177.— Bequest  of  the  C.  S.  Hale  Collection  of  Fossils,  179.— President  Bouve  wishes  to  resign,  but 


250  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 

is  lead  to  reconsiclcv  it,  180. —  Alterations  in  the  Constitution, —  Corporate  and  Associate  membership, 
181. —  Annual  meeting  1876,  181. —  Death  of  Dr.  Walter  Channing,  183.— Death  of  Edward  Pick- 
ering, 184. —  Death  of  Prof.  F.  B.  Meek,  185. —  Consideration  of  opening  the  Museum  on  Sundays,  185. — 
Annual  meeting  1877,  18(j.— Death  of  Dr.  Cliarles  Pickering,  189.— Death  of  Prof.  C.  F.  Ilartt,  192.— 
Annual  meeting  1878,  194.— Death  of  Gurdon  Saltonstall,  197. —  Death  of  Prof.  Joseph  Henry, 
198.—  Remarkable  work  of  the  Teachers'  School  of  Science,  199.— Death  of  Dr.  J.  B.  S.  Jackson,  199.— 
Annual  meeting  1879,202. —  Teachers'  School  of  Science,  204. —  Vote  to  publish  an  Anniversary  vol- 
ume, 207. —  Award  of  the  second  Grand  Walker  Prize  to  Prof.  Joseph  Leidy,  208. —  Discussion  relating 
to  the  Collection  of  Comparative  Anatomy,  208. —  Death  of  Dr.  T.  M.  Brewei-,  209. —  Plans  for  a  fiftietli 
anniversary  celebration,  211. —  Resignation  of  Mr.  Bouve  from  tlie  Presidency,  212. —  Fiftieth  anniver- 
sary celebi-ation,  April  28,  1880,  213. —  Address  of  Mr.  Bouve,  213, —  of  Governor  Long,  214, —  of  Dr. 
Samuel  Eliot,  215,— of  President  Eliot,  216,— of  Mr.  Ale.x;.  Agassiz,  219,— of  Rev.  R.  C.  Waterston, 
220. — ■  Close  of  tlie  celebration,  226. —  Annual  meeting  1880,  226. — -  Election  of  officers,  with  Samuel  II. 
Scudder  as  President,  230. — -Review  of  the  fifth  decade,  231. —  Original  members  yet  living,  234. — 
Sketch  of  George  B.  Emerson,  235. —  Present  condition  of  tlie  Society  and  the  liopcs  of  its  foumlers, 
237. —  Statistics  of  the  Liljrary  and  Museum,  238. —  Funded  property,  239. —  Present  work,  240. —  Inade- 
quacy of  means,  241. —  Aspirations,  242. —  Wishes  expressed  in  Dr.  W.  J.  Walker's  will,  243. 

List  of  past  officers  of  the  Society,  244. 

Contents,  248. 

List  of  portraits,  250. 


PORTRAITS   IN  THIS  VOLUME. 

Benjamin  D.  Greene,  M.D.,  First  President  of  the  Society.      Ileliotype  from  a  life-size  crayon  por- 
trait in  the  possession  of  the  Society.     Opposite  page  89. 

George  B.  Emerson,  LL.D.,  Second  President.     Ileliotype  from  an  enlarged  ]ihotogra]ih.     Op])osite 
page  236. 

Amos  Binney,  M.D.,  Third  President.     Helioty|>e  from  a  portrait   in   oil  in   possession  of  the  Society. 
Ojtposite  page  49. 

John  Collins  Warren,  M.D.,  Fourth  President.      Steel  engraving  from   a  daguerreotype  by   J.  A. 
Whipple.     Opposite  page  66. 

Jeffries  Wyman,  M.D.,  Filth  Presiilent.     Ileliotype  from   an  enlarged  photograph  finished  in  cr.-iyon, 
in  the  jiossession  of  the  Society.     O])jiosite  page  169. 

Thomas  T.  Bouve,  Sixth  President.      Ileliotype   from   a  crayon  portrait  in  possession   of  his  family. 
Opposite  page  212. 

William  J.  Walker,  il.D.     Ileliotype  from  a  crayon  in  possession  of  the  Society.    Opposite  page  105. 

Augustus  A.  Gould,  M.D.     Engraving  by  II.  Wright  Smith,  from  a  daguerreotype  by  Southwoith  & 
Ilawes,  originally  published  in  the  Annual  of  Scientific  Discovery  for  1861.     Oi)posite  page  112. 

D.  Humphreys   Storer,  M.D.      Steel    engraving,    prepared  for  the   "Biographical   Encyclopedia   of 

Massachusetts  of  the  Nineteenth  Century,"  i)ublished  in  New  York  in  1879.     Opposite  page  80. 


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